WO2025232739A1 - Communication method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method, apparatus and system, which are applied to multi-beam architectures such as an HBF architecture. The method comprises: receiving first channel state information (CSI) report request information; receiving and measuring at least one first measurement resource; and sending first information, the first information corresponding to M CSI reference signal resource indicators (CRIs), wherein the first information satisfies a first condition. The first condition comprises: a time interval between a feedback time of the first information and an end time of a first symbol of the first measurement resource is greater than or equal to a first delay. The first symbol is determined on the basis of an M-th symbol of the at least one first measurement resource. On the basis of the solution, a terminal device can clarify a reporting condition for a CSI report comprising multiple CRIs, thereby improving system performance in some scenarios where the multiple CRIs are reported.

Description

Communication methods and devices

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410578862.6, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on May 8, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus.

Background Technology

In higher frequency communication systems, hybrid beamforming (HBF) technology can confine the energy of transmitted signals within a specific beam direction, thereby achieving higher antenna array gain.

For example, HBF technology ensures that analog beams are aligned with the communication target through beam scanning. One beam scanning process is as follows: the base station sends reference signals to the terminal through different analog beams. Each reference signal corresponds one-to-one with an analog beam. The terminal measures the reference signal to determine the channel state information (CSI) of its corresponding channel. The CSI reflects the beam quality of the analog beam corresponding to the reference signal. Based on the CSI, a matching analog beam can be determined for the terminal device, thus achieving beam alignment.

However, in scenarios where multiple channel state information reference signal resource indicators (CSI-RS resource indicators, CRIs) need to be fed back (or reported) simultaneously, determining the feedback time for multiple CRI reports is an urgent problem to be solved.

Summary of the Invention

This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and system that can report CSI reports for multiple CRIs, thereby improving system performance in some scenarios of reporting multiple CRIs.

Firstly, this application provides a communication method. This method can be executed by a terminal side, or by other entities; this application does not limit the scope of the method. The terminal side includes a terminal device, or chips or circuits within the terminal device (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), or functional modules within the terminal device capable of calling and executing programs. For ease of description, the following explanation uses a terminal device as an example.

The communication method provided in this application includes: receiving first Channel State Information (CSI) Report Request Information (CSI), the first CSI Report Request Information being used to indicate feedback of first information; receiving and measuring at least one first measurement resource (CRI); and transmitting first information, the first information corresponding to M CRIs, wherein the first information satisfies a first condition. The first condition includes that the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of a first symbol of the first measurement resource is greater than or equal to a first delay, or the feedback time of the first information is after a first time, the first time being determined based on the end time of the first symbol and the first delay. The first symbol is determined based on the first first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the Mth first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the last first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the first first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the Mth first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the last first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the first symbol of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of at least one first measurement resource.

Optionally, the first piece of information is a CSI report.

In the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine the feedback time of the CSI report based on the reference time of the CSI report indicated by the network device (i.e., the feedback time of the first information), combined with the position between the first symbols within at least one first measurement resource (for acquiring CSI) and the first condition, so as to measure and report the CSI report, thereby improving system performance.

Specifically, the terminal device can report a CSI report containing multiple CRIs if the first condition is met.

Optionally, the first time is the end time of the first symbol, which is the first symbol after the first time delay.

Optionally, the first symbol is the first symbol of the first first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the first symbol of the Mth first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the first symbol of the last first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource.

In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, at least one first measurement resource includes K channel state information reference signal resources, M CRIs determined based on the K channel state information reference signal resources, and/or, the M CRIs are indicated by radio resource control protocol RRC information, and/or, the value of M is indicated by RRC information, and/or, the M CRIs are indicated by first CSI report request information, and/or, the value of M is indicated by first CSI report request information, where M is an integer less than or equal to K, and the first delay is determined based on the magnitude of M or K.

In the above technical solution, the first delay for the terminal device to perform resource measurement and calculation can be determined based on the number of reference signal resources K or the number of reported resources M, thereby increasing the flexibility of the calculation.

It should be understood that the first CSI report request information can be Downlink Control Information (DCI).

Optionally, the first CSI report request information indicates the maximum number of CRIs P that can be reported, where P is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and M is an integer less than or equal to P. The first delay is determined based on the magnitude of P.

Optionally, the first CSI report request information indicates the number of reference signals _MR that must be measured and reported. The first delay is determined based on the magnitude of _MR .

In some embodiments, the first time delay T2 can satisfy the following formula: T2＝(Z'(m))×(2048×144)×κ× ^2μ ×T _c +T _switch . Wherein, the first parameter Z'(m) can be determined according to the number M of reported CRIs.

Specifically, Z’(m) = M × Z’, or Z’(m) = Z’ + b × Z1, or Z’(m) = Z’ + b × Z’1, or Z’(m) = Z’ + b × Z2, or Z’(m) = Z’ + b × Z’2.

Optionally, M can be replaced by the reference signal _MR that must be measured and reported, or the number K of the channel state information reference signal resources of the first measurement resource, or the size of the maximum number P of CRIs that can be reported.

In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information also satisfies a second condition, which includes that the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of the last symbol of the first CSI report request information is greater than or equal to a second delay, or the feedback time of the first information is after a second time, the second time being determined based on the end time of the last symbol of the first CSI report request information and the second delay, wherein the second delay is determined based on the size of M.

In the above technical solution, the second delay for the terminal device to parse the first channel state information (CSI) report request information can be determined according to the size of M, K, or P, thereby increasing the flexibility of calculation.

It should be understood that the first delay and the second delay can be the processing delay of the terminal device.

In some embodiments, the second delay T1 can satisfy the following formula: T1＝(Z(m))×(2048×144)×κ× ^2μ ×T _c +T _switch . Wherein, the second parameter Z(m) can be determined according to the number M of reported CRIs.

Specifically, Z(m) = M × Z, or Z(m) = Z + a × Z1, or Z(m) = Z + a × Z’1, or Z(m) = Z + a × Z2, or Z(m) = Z + a × Z’2.

Optionally, M can be replaced by the reference signal _MR that must be measured and reported, or the number K of the channel state information reference signal resources of the first measurement resource, or the size of the maximum number P of CRIs that can be reported.

Optionally, the second time is the end time of the last symbol of the first CSI report request information, which is the first symbol after the second delay.

In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first symbol is determined based on the reporting method of at least one first measurement resource or first information. Specifically, when the first CSI report request information indicates joint reporting of the first information, or when at least one first measurement resource includes a virtual resource, the first symbol is the last symbol of the last first measurement resource. When the first CSI report request information indicates no joint reporting of the first information, or when at least one first measurement resource does not include a virtual resource, the first symbol is the last symbol of the Mth first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the first first measurement resource, and the virtual resource does not carry a reference signal.

In the above technical solution, the first symbol is determined according to the reporting method of the first measurement resource or the first information, thereby reducing the latency of triggering the reporting when the first CSI report request information indicates that the first information is not jointly reported, or the first measurement resource does not include virtual resources.

In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first symbol is determined based on the Mth symbol of at least one first measurement resource, including, the first symbol being the last symbol of the (M+x)th first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, where x is an arbitrary constant, or the first symbol being the last symbol of the first first measurement resource after time y of the Mth first measurement resource.

In the above technical solution, the first symbol can be flexibly determined according to the number M of reported CRIs, thereby increasing the flexibility of delay calculation.

Secondly, this application provides a communication method. This method can be executed by a network side, or by other entities; this application does not limit the scope of the method. The network side includes a network device, or a chip or chip system, or circuit within the network device, or a central unit (CU) or distributed unit (DU) within the network device, or a functional module within the network device capable of calling and executing a program. For ease of description, the following explanation uses execution by a network device as an example.

The method includes: sending first Channel State Information (CSI) Report Request Information, the first CSI Report Request Information indicating feedback of first information; sending at least one first measurement resource; and receiving first information, the first information corresponding to M Channel State Information Reference Signal Resources (CRIs), wherein the first information satisfies a first condition. The first condition includes that the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of a first symbol of the first measurement resource is greater than or equal to a first delay, or the feedback time of the first information is after a first time, the first time being determined based on the end time of the first symbol and the first delay. The first symbol is determined based on the first first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the Mth first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the last first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the first first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the Mth first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the last first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the first symbol of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of at least one first measurement resource.

In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, at least one first measurement resource includes K channel state information reference signal resources, M CRIs determined based on the K channel state information reference signal resources, and/or, the M CRIs are indicated by radio resource control protocol RRC information, and/or, the value of M is indicated by RRC information, and/or, the M CRIs are indicated by first CSI report request information, and/or, the value of M is indicated by first CSI report request information, where M is an integer less than or equal to K, and the first delay is determined based on the magnitude of M or K.

Optionally, the first CSI report request information indicates the maximum number of CRIs P that can be reported, where P is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and M is an integer less than or equal to P. The first delay is determined based on the magnitude of P.

In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first information also satisfies a second condition, which includes that the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of the last symbol of the first CSI report request information is greater than or equal to a second delay, or the feedback time of the first information is after a second time, the second time being determined based on the end time of the last symbol of the first CSI report request information and the second delay, wherein the second delay is determined based on the size of M.

In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first symbol is determined based on the reporting method of at least one first measurement resource or first information. Specifically, when the first CSI report request information indicates joint reporting of the first information, or when at least one first measurement resource includes a virtual resource, the first symbol is the last symbol of the last first measurement resource. When the first CSI report request information indicates no joint reporting of the first information, or when at least one first measurement resource does not include a virtual resource, the first symbol is the last symbol of the Mth first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the first first measurement resource, and the virtual resource does not carry a reference signal.

In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first symbol is determined based on the Mth symbol of at least one first measurement resource, including, the first symbol being the last symbol of the (M+x)th first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, where x is an arbitrary constant, or the first symbol being the last symbol of the first first measurement resource after time y of the Mth first measurement resource.

Thirdly, this application provides a communication device that has the functions of the first aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the first aspect above. The modules, units, or means can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

The communication device can be a terminal device, or a module or unit (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) in the terminal device that corresponds to each of the methods, operations, steps, or actions described in the first aspect above, or a device that can be matched with the terminal.

In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver unit (or communication module) and a processing unit (or processing module) connected to the transceiver unit.

For example, the transceiver unit is configured to receive first Channel State Information (CSI) Report Request Information (CSI), which is used to indicate feedback of first information. It also receives at least one first measurement resource. The processing unit is configured to measure at least one first measurement resource. The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit first information, which corresponds to M CSIs, wherein the first information satisfies a first condition. The first condition includes that the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of a first symbol of the first measurement resource is greater than or equal to a first delay, or that the feedback time of the first information is after a first time, the first time being determined based on the end time of the first symbol and the first delay. Wherein, the first symbol is determined based on the first first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the Mth first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the last first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the first first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the Mth first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the last first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the first symbol of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of at least one first measurement resource.

The transceiver unit can perform the receiving and transmitting processes in the first aspect described above, and the processing unit can perform other processes in the first aspect described above besides receiving and transmitting.

Fourthly, this application provides a communication device that has the functions of the second aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means that perform the operations involved in the second aspect above. The modules, units, or means can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

The communication device can be a network device, or a module or unit (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) in the network device that corresponds to each of the methods, operations, steps, or actions described in the second aspect above, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the network device.

In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver unit (or communication module) and a processing unit (or processing module) connected to the transceiver unit.

For example, the transceiver unit is configured to transmit first Channel State Information (CSI) Report Request Information, which indicates feedback of first information. The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit at least one first Measurement Resource. The transceiver unit is also configured to receive first information, which corresponds to M Channel State Information Reference Signal Resources (CRIs), wherein the first information satisfies a first condition. The first condition includes that the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of a first symbol of the first measurement resource is greater than or equal to a first delay, or that the feedback time of the first information is after a first time, the first time being determined based on the end time of the first symbol and the first delay. Wherein, the first symbol is determined based on the first first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the Mth first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the last first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the first first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the Mth first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the last first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the first symbol of at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of at least one first measurement resource.

The transceiver unit can perform the receiving and sending processes in the second aspect described above, and the processing unit of the communication device can perform other processes in the second aspect described above besides receiving and sending.

Fifthly, this application provides a communication device. The communication device can be either the terminal side or the network side as described above. The communication device includes a transceiver, a processor, and a memory. The processor controls the transceiver to transmit and receive signals, the memory stores a computer program, and the processor retrieves and runs the computer program from the memory, causing the communication device to perform the methods in any of the possible implementations of the first and second aspects described above.

Optionally, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories.

Alternatively, the memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory can be set separately from the processor.

Optionally, the communication device also includes a transceiver, comprising a transmitter and a receiver.

Sixthly, this application provides a communication device, the communication device including a memory and one or more processors. The memory is used to store part or all of the computer program or instructions necessary to implement the functions involved in the first aspect above. The one or more processors are capable of executing the computer program or instructions, such that when the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first aspect above.

In one possible design, the communication device may further include an interface circuit, through which the processor communicates with other devices or components.

In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

The aforementioned communication device may be a terminal, a communication module in a terminal, or a chip in a terminal that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip that contains a modem module.

In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication device, the communication device including a memory and a processor. The memory is used to store part or all of the computer program or instructions necessary to implement the functions involved in the second aspect above. The one or more processors are capable of executing the computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the second aspect above.

Eighthly, this application provides a communication system. The communication system includes a terminal device and/or a network device, wherein the terminal side is used to execute the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect described above, and the network side is used to execute the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect described above.

Ninthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable storage medium stores computer program code or instructions, which, when executed, cause the method in any of the possible implementations of the first and second aspects described above to be implemented.

In a tenth aspect, a chip or chip system is provided. The chip or chip system includes at least one processor coupled to a memory for storing a computer program that, when executed, causes the methods in any of the possible implementations of the first and second aspects described above to be implemented.

For example, the chip may include input circuitry or interface for transmitting information or data, and output circuitry or interface for receiving information or data.

In one aspect, this application provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes: computer program code or instructions, which, when executed, cause the method in any of the possible implementations of the first or second aspect to be implemented.

In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a computer program. When the computer program is run, it causes the method in any of the possible implementations of the first or second aspect to be implemented.

It should be understood that the beneficial effects of the second to twelfth aspects mentioned above can be referenced from the first aspect mentioned above and any possible implementation thereof, which will not be elaborated here.

Attached Figure Description

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to this application.

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of hybrid beamforming.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the HBF architecture on the network device side provided in an embodiment of this application.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of signaling transmission for channel measurement provided in an embodiment of this application.

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this embodiment.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the feedback time of a CSI provided in the present embodiment.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another CSI feedback time provided in the present embodiment.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another CSI feedback time provided in the present embodiment.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another CSI feedback time provided in the present embodiment.

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another CSI feedback time provided in the present embodiment.

Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

Detailed Implementation

To facilitate understanding of the embodiments provided in this application, the following points are first explained:

1) In this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terms and/or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

2) In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And/or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and/or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character "/" generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or 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. Here, a, b, and c can each be single or multiple.

3) In this application, the terms "first," "second," and various numerical designations (e.g., #1, #2, etc.) indicate distinctions made for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, they may distinguish different messages, rather than describing a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such descriptions can be interchanged where appropriate to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application.

4) In this application, descriptions such as “when…”, “under the circumstances of…” and “if” all refer to the fact that the device will make corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances. They are not time limits, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when it is implemented, nor do they mean that there are other limitations.

5) In this application, "instruction" or "for instruction" can include both direct and indirect instruction. When describing an instruction as being used to instruct A, it may include whether the instruction directly instructs A or indirectly instructs A, but does not necessarily mean that the instruction carries A.

The indication methods involved in the embodiments of this application should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated. The information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately. Moreover, the sending period and/or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different. This application does not limit the sending method, for example.

The "instruction information" in the embodiments of this application can be an explicit instruction, that is, a direct instruction through signaling, or an instruction obtained by combining other rules or parameters with the parameters indicated by the signaling, or by deduction. It can also be an implicit instruction, that is, an instruction obtained based on rules or relationships, or based on other parameters, or by deduction. This application does not specifically limit it in this regard.

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

7) In this application, "communication" can also be described as "data transmission", "information transmission", "data processing", etc. "Transmission" includes "sending" and "receiving". "Transmission" can be described as "output".

8) In this application, "sending information to XX (device)" can be understood as the destination of the information being that device. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to that device. "Receiving information from XX (device), or receiving information from XX (device)" can be understood as the source of the information being that device, and can include receiving information directly or indirectly from that device. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source.

9) In this application, when comparing A and B, the description "when A is greater than or equal to B, execute method A; when A is less than or equal to B, execute method B" can be implemented in a way that is either "when A is greater than or equal to B, execute method A; or when A is less than B, execute method B" or "when A is greater than B, execute method A; or when A is less than or equal to B, execute method B". This application does not limit the implementation in this way. For ease of description, the implementation methods provided in this application are all illustrated using "when A is greater than or equal to B, execute method A; or when A is less than B, execute method B" as an example.

10) This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and/or may not include all devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches may also be used.

Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the term "example" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding, relevant," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

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

The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, 5G systems or NR systems, and future communication systems, such as 6th generation (6G) mobile communication systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems.

As an example, V2X communication can include: vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, and vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication.

The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems, such as inter-satellite communication systems, satellite communication systems, high-altitude platform station (HAPS) communication, integrated communication and navigation (ICaN) systems, and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS).

As an example, a satellite communication system includes a satellite base station and terminal equipment. The satellite base station provides communication services to the terminal equipment. Satellite base stations can also communicate with each other. A satellite can act as a base station or as a terminal device. Here, "satellite" can refer to drones, hot air balloons, low-Earth orbit satellites, medium-Earth orbit satellites, high-Earth orbit satellites, etc. "Satellite" can also refer to non-terrestrial base stations or non-terrestrial equipment. It should be understood that satellite communication systems can be integrated with traditional mobile communication systems.

In a communication system, a device can send signals to or receive signals from another device. These signals may include reference signals, information, signaling, or data. The term "device" can also be replaced by an entity, network entity, network element, communication equipment, communication module, node, communication node, etc. This disclosure uses "device" as an example. For instance, a communication system may include at least one terminal device and at least one network device. The network device can send downlink signals to the terminal device, and/or the terminal device can send uplink signals to the network device. In this application, "device" can be replaced by an entity, network entity, communication equipment, communication module, node, communication node, etc.

In this embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of a terminal device, i.e., the terminal device, can be the terminal device itself, or it can be any device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, chip, circuit, or communication module (i.e., a communication module that performs communication functions). This device can be installed in the terminal device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. Furthermore, the device can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions.

The network device in this application embodiment can be a device or module with corresponding communication functions. The network device can be a device used to communicate with terminal devices; it can also be called an access network device or a wireless access network device, such as a base station. In this application embodiment, the network device can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects terminal devices to a wireless network.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and/or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). Terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wired connected to CN 200. The core network device in CN 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as a 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system, a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system (e.g., a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system). RAN 100 can also be an open access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

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

In one possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a 6th-generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. The RAN node can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The RAN node may also include communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. The RAN node may also be configured with program instructions for performing these functions, as well as corresponding program instructions. The RAN node in this application may also be a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the RAN node's functions.

In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be centralized units (CU), distributed units (DU), CU-control plane (CP), CU-user plane (UP), or radio units (RU), etc. CU and DU can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRU), active antenna units (AAU), or remote radio heads (RRH).

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

The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement. For example, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (such as the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and/or the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer); the DU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, and/or the Physical Layer (PHY) layer). Alternatively, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers above the PDCP layer (such as the RRC and/or SDAP layers), and the DU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the RLC, MAC, and/or PHY layers).

When a CU includes CU-CP and CU-UP, CU-CP is used to implement the control plane functions of the CU, and CU-UP is used to implement the user plane functions of the CU. For example, when a CU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer, RRC layer, and SDAP layer, CU-CP is used to implement the RRC layer functions and the control plane functions of the PDCP layer, and CU-UP is used to implement the SDAP layer functions and the user plane functions of the PDCP layer.

The CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements can be access and mobility function (AMF) network elements, such as the AMF network element in a 5G system. The AMF network element is responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal device location updates, terminal device registration with the network, and terminal device handover.

CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements, such as the user plane function (UPF) network elements in a 5G system, are responsible for forwarding and receiving data in terminal devices.

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

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

Terminal 120 can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, or mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, transportation vehicles with wireless communication capabilities, communication modules, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal. Terminals typically contain communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. The terminal can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions.

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

RAN 100 and terminal 120 can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the scenarios in which RAN 100 and terminal 120 are located.

CN 200 can be a 6G core network, a 5G core network, or an evolved 5G core network. Taking a 5G core network as an example, CN 200 includes AMF network elements responsible for mobility management and access management services, Session Management Function (SMF) network elements responsible for session management, User Plane Function (UPF) network elements responsible for user plane packet routing and forwarding and Quality of Service (QoS) control, and Policy Control Function (PCF) network elements. These core network elements can work independently or be combined to implement certain control functions; for example, AMF, SMF, and PCF can be combined into a single core network device.

Optionally, CN 200 and/or RAN 100 can be connected to the Internet 300 for information exchange.

It should be understood that the above naming is defined solely for the purpose of distinguishing different functions and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of using other naming conventions in 5G networks and other future networks. For example, in 6G networks, some or all of the above-mentioned network elements may use the terminology from 5G, or they may use other names, etc.

It is understood that Figure 1 is merely an example provided for ease of understanding and does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application. The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application may also involve network elements not shown in Figure 1, and of course, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application may also include only some of the network elements shown in Figure 1.

To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the terms or technologies involved in this application will be explained first.

1. Antenna port;

An antenna port is a logical concept; there is no direct correspondence between an antenna port and a physical antenna. An antenna port is typically associated with a reference signal, and its meaning can be understood as a transmit/receive interface on the channel through which the reference signal passes. In low-frequency systems, an antenna port may correspond to one or more antenna elements that jointly transmit the reference signal; the receiver can treat them as a whole without distinguishing between individual elements. In high-frequency systems, an antenna port may correspond to a beam; similarly, the receiver only needs to treat this beam as an interface and does not need to distinguish between individual elements.

In this embodiment of the application, the antenna port that transmits the analog beam can be called an analog antenna port, or an antenna port, port, or CSI-RS port.

In this embodiment, the set of multiple antenna ports can be referred to as a port group. For example, multiple digital ports of a base station can be grouped to form multiple port groups. As another example (especially in a hybrid digital-analog beamforming architecture), a port group can be multiple digital ports corresponding to the same analog beam, simply referred to as a port group or a digital-analog port group; or, a port group can be a set of digital ports corresponding to multiple analog beams, simply referred to as a port group or a digital-analog port group. Alternatively, multiple digital ports of the same analog beam can be divided into multiple subsets, each subset being called a port group or a digital-analog port group.

2. Beam;

A beam is a communication resource. Beams can be wide, narrow, or other types. The technology used to form beams is called beamforming. Beamforming refers to adjusting the amplitude and/or phase of a signal so that the radiated signal through an antenna array has a certain directionality, enabling higher antenna array gain. The main lobe of the antenna array's radiation pattern can be called the beam.

In beamforming technology, the amplitude and/or phase of a signal are adjusted after being filtered by a spatial domain transmission filter. Different spatial domain transmission filters using different spatial filtering parameters can achieve beams in different directions. In the embodiments of this application, the spatial filtering parameters can be replaced by beams, or the spatial filtering parameters can be replaced by spatial domain transmission filters. Spatial domain transmission filters can also be called spatial filters.

Specifically, beamforming technology includes digital beamforming, analog beamforming, and hybrid digital-analog beamforming. Digital beamforming has multiple digital processing channels. Each channel adjusts the phase (or amplitude and phase) of the signal in the digital domain, giving the radiated signal through the antenna directionality. Therefore, digital beamforming can achieve the function of a spatial transmission filter through multiple digital processing channels. Analog beamforming can transmit signals simultaneously using an antenna array composed of multiple antenna elements. Each antenna element corresponds to a phase shifter. By adjusting the phase of the phase shifter corresponding to each antenna element, the radiated signal through the antenna array is made directional. Therefore, analog beamforming can achieve the function of a spatial transmission filter through multiple phase shifters corresponding to multiple elements in the antenna array. Hybrid beamforming combines analog and digital beamforming technologies, incorporating both multiple digital processing channels and multiple analog phase shifters. Therefore, for hybrid beamforming technology, the function of the aforementioned spatial transmission filter can be achieved through multiple phase shifters corresponding to multiple array elements in the antenna array and multiple digital processing channels. However, this application is not limited to this; the aforementioned spatial transmission filter can also be implemented through other technologies.

It is understandable that one or more antenna ports that form a beam can be regarded as a set of antenna ports or a group of antenna ports. For ease of description, the following text will uniformly refer to a beam as being formed by one antenna port, and one or more digital ports that form a beam as a group of ports.

In one implementation, multiple digital channels are digitally weighted in the same way across the entire frequency band, which has an effect similar to analog beamforming.

In another implementation, the digital channel (or digital weighting) can be divided into multiple levels. The first level performs the same digital weighting across the entire frequency band, and the second level performs weighting of sub-bands. The effect is also equivalent to hybrid beamforming.

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of hybrid beamforming (or digital beamforming). As shown in Figure 2, the digital channels are uniformly divided into K1 groups (K1 is a positive integer) (or, K1 subarrays, K1 port groups), with each group (or subarray, port group) containing the same number of digital channels, for example, K2 (K2 is a positive integer). Digital beamforming and analog beamforming can be considered as two-stage beamforming. The first-stage beamforming is analog beamforming, with weights _W0 = [W0 _{, 0} W0 _{, 1} … W0 _{, K2-1} ], where K2 elements correspond to K2 digital channels. The weights of the first-stage beamforming are broadband, and each group uses the same first-stage weight, _W0 . The second-level beamforming is digital beamforming. The weights for the second-level beamforming are _W1 = [ _{W1,0 W1,1} … _W0,K1-1 ], where K1 elements correspond one-to-one with K1 digital channels. The weights for the second-level beamforming are sub-band-based; different groups (or subarrays, port groups) have different second-level weights. That is, the weight matrix corresponding to each digital channel is... or in, This represents the Kronecker product, as shown in the figure. This represents the weighting vector corresponding to the first-level weights. As can be seen, different weighting vectors result in different beam directions. Therefore, network devices can adjust the beam direction by adjusting the weighting vectors.

3. Reference signal (RS);

It can also be called a pilot, reference sequence, or reference signal. For consistency, it will be referred to as reference signal below. Reference signals can be used for channel measurement, channel estimation, or beam quality monitoring.

Taking CSI-RS as the reference signal as an example, the configuration information can include configuration information elements (IEs), such as CSI resource configuration (CSI-ResourceConfig) and CSI reporting configuration (CSI-ReportConfig).

The CSI resource configuration mentioned above can be used to configure resource-related information for CSI measurements.

The channel measurements involved in this application also include beam measurements, i.e., obtaining beam quality information by measuring a reference signal. As an example, parameters used to measure beam quality include at least one of the following: reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) (or simply signal-to-dryness ratio). In the embodiments of this application, for ease of explanation, unless otherwise specified, the channel measurements involved can be regarded as beam measurements.

According to LTE or NR protocols, uplink reference signals may include, for example, a sounding reference signal (SRS), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)-demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)-demodulation reference signal (PUSCH-DMRS), a phase-tracking reference signal (PTRS), an uplink positioning reference signal (RS), etc.; downlink reference signals may include, for example, a synchronization block. The following are some of the reference signals used in LTE: SSB (Short-Side Block for Subtraction Signal), PDCCH-DMRS (Physical Downlink Control Channel-Demodulation Reference Signal), PDSCH-DMRS (Physical Downlink Shared Channel-Demodulation Reference Signal), PTRS (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), CSI-RS (Channel State Information Reference Signal), CRS (Cell Reference Signal in LTE), TRS (Tracking Reference Signal in NR), and Positioning RS (Downlink Positioning Reference Signal).

The reference signal in the embodiments of this application is mainly used for channel measurement. For example, it may refer to the CSI-RS used in downlink channel measurement, the SRS used in uplink channel measurement, or other reference signals that can be used for channel measurement. This application does not limit this.

For example, in frequency division duplex (FDD) communication scenarios, since uplink and downlink channels lack reciprocity or cannot guarantee reciprocity, network devices typically send CSI-RS to terminal devices. The terminal devices measure the downlink channel's CSI based on the received CSI-RS and feed it back to the network device. The network device can then use this CSI to determine the resources for scheduling the terminal device's downlink data channel, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), and precoding configurations.

For example, CSI may include at least one of the following: PMI, CQI, RI and CRI, layer indicator (LI), RSRP, CRI, Synchronization Signal/Physical broadcast channel Block Resource Indicator (SSBRI), etc. The specific quantities in CSI that the terminal device feeds back can be determined according to the configuration, as shown in "CSI-ReportConfig" below.

4. Reference signal resources;

It can be used to configure the transmission attributes of reference signals, such as time-frequency resource location, port mapping relationship, power factor, and scrambling code. For details, please refer to the relevant chapters on reference signal resources in 3GPP technical specifications (TS) 38.211 and 38.331. The transmitting device can transmit reference signals based on the reference signal resources, and the network side can receive reference signals based on the reference signal resources.

To distinguish different reference signal resources, each reference signal resource can correspond to a reference signal resource identifier, such as CSI-RS resource identifier CRI, SSB resource indicator SSBRI, and SRS resource indicator (SRI).

In this embodiment, the reference signal resource may further include virtual resources that have not transmitted a reference signal. Virtual resources can be understood as resources that can be used for transmission but have not transmitted a reference signal. To distinguish them from virtual resources, resources used for transmitting reference signals can be referred to as actual resources.

In this embodiment, the virtual resource can also be replaced by coefficients or weights, whereby the weights can be used to determine the channel coefficients of the virtual resource. The coefficients can include one or more weights used to determine the channel coefficients of the virtual resource; for example, the coefficients can be a vector composed of one or more weights.

In this embodiment of the application, the channel coefficient of the virtual resource can be determined by the channel coefficient of the actual resource and the corresponding weight.

5. Reference signal configuration;

Reference signal configuration can be divided into two parts: reference signal resource configuration and reference signal reporting configuration. The following uses CSI-RS configuration as an example.

The two most important parts of the CSI-RS configuration are "CSI-ReportConfig" and "CSI-ResourceConfig". "CSI-ReportConfig" and "CSI-ResourceConfig" are names used for ease of description only; other names may be used. This application does not impose any restrictions on their use.

The "CSI-ReportConfig" configuration allows you to set parameters related to CSI reporting, such as "Report Configuration Id," "Report Configuration Type," and "Report Quantity." "ReportConfigId" identifies a "CSI-ReportConfig," meaning one "ReportConfigId" corresponds to one "CSI-ReportConfig." "ReportConfigType" configures the reporting type, which can be periodic, semi-continuous, or aperiodic. "ReportQuantity" configures the reported information, including CRI, PMI, RI, LI, CQI, RSRP, RSRQ, SNR, and SINR. Different configurations allow you to report different information.

"CSI-ResourceConfig" can be used to configure information related to CSI-RS resources, such as the "CSI Resource Configuration Identifier (CSI-ResourceConfigId)" and the CSI-RS resources used for measurement. "CSI-ResourceConfigId" is the identifier for the "CSI Resource Configuration (CSI-ResourceConfig)," used to identify the "CSI-ResourceConfig," and this variable can be associated with "CSI-ReportConfig." The CSI-RS resources used for measurement in this application are mainly non-zero power (NZP) CSI-RS resources (NZP CSI-RS resource).

For example, each terminal device can be configured with one or more NZP CSI-RS resource sets through the high-level parameters “NZP-CSI-RS-Resource”, “CSI-ResourceConfig”, and “NZP-CSI-RS Resource Set”, and each NZP CSI-RS resource set includes one or more NZP CSI-RS resources.

Each NZP CSI-RS resource can be identified by an "NZP-CSI-RS Resource Identifier (nzp-CSI-RS-ResourceId)". The identifiers of NZP CSI-RS resources within the NZP CSI-RS resource set are not necessarily sequential. For example, the identifiers (e.g., nzp-CSI-RS-ResourceId) of resources in the NZP CSI-RS resource set, ordered by beam index, may include {002, 004, 008, 003, 005}. 002 could correspond to resource index 0, 004 to resource index 1, 008 to resource index 2, 003 to resource index 3, and 005 to resource index 4. The resource index is used to indicate the transmission order of the NZP CSI-RS resources; it should be understood that the resource index is merely an exemplary naming convention.

When the terminal device reports measurements based on the above configuration, the CRI in the CSI is used to indicate the resources in the current NZP CSI-RS resource set. If the NZP CSI-RS resource set has K _s > 1 NZP CSI-RS resources configured, CRI k (k is greater than or equal to 0) corresponds to the (k+1)th NZP CSI-RS resource in the NZP CSI-RS resource set for channel measurements, where k can be the value of CRI, or k can be the index of the resource indicated by CRI.

To transmit data to the terminal, the base station needs to perform precoding on the digital port and select appropriate coding and modulation orders. The purpose of precoding is to better match the antenna (or beam) with the channel, ensuring better signal quality and less interference when the transmitted data reaches the terminal. A good modulation order and code rate maximize channel transmission capacity while ensuring reliable data transmission. The settings for precoding and modulation/coding schemes (MCS) need to be determined based on channel quality and channel response. One approach is for the base station to transmit a reference signal, which the terminal uses to determine the channel and then feeds back the corresponding channel state information (i.e., CSI feedback), including PMI, precoding information, and the number of transport streams supported by the channel, i.e., rank indicator (RI) and CQI. Another approach is to use an uplink reference signal to measure and obtain uplink channel information, and then, based on channel reciprocity, further obtain downlink channel information.

6. Precoding and codebook;

In a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) communication system, the mathematical expression for communication is y = Hx + n, where y is the received signal, H is the MIMO channel, x is the transmitted signal, and n is noise. In a communication system with multiple antennas, the signals from multiple transmit antennas can be superimposed on any one of the receive antennas. Therefore, the method of transmitting signals at the transmitter affects the system performance, and recovering the transmitted signal at the receiver is often complex. In this context, precoding is used to reduce system overhead and maximize the system capacity of MIMO, while also reducing the complexity of eliminating inter-channel interference at the receiver. In this case, the mathematical expression is y = HPx + n, where P is the precoding matrix (or vector). To simplify implementation complexity, P can be selected from a predefined set of matrices (or vectors), called the codebook. This method is also known as the codebook-based transmission method.

The codebook includes PMI indices and precoding matrices, with each PMI corresponding to a precoding matrix. The corresponding precoding matrix can be determined based on the PMIs fed back from the CSI. For example, in type I codebook feedback, the precoding matrix corresponding to one transport layer and one subband to be fed back can be represented as W = W1W2, where W has a dimension of P _CSI-RS × N3, W1 is the wideband precoding matrix with a dimension of P _CSI-RS × 2υ, and W2 is the subband precoding matrix with a dimension of 2υ × N3. _{P CSI-RS} represents the number of CSI-RS ports, N3 represents the number of subbands or PMIs, and υ represents the number of transmitted data streams. Specifically, PMIs can include feedback on precoding matrices for different transport layers and different subbands.

Codebook type refers to the type of codebook used when reporting PMI. Terminal devices can report PMI through codebooks. For example, if the precoding matrix measured by a terminal device is A, then the codebook corresponding to A reported by the terminal device is the codebook for A reported by the terminal device. In other words, the codebook is used to quantize the precoding matrix. There are various types of codebooks that can be used when reporting PMI, including, for example, type 1 codebooks and type 2 codebooks. Each type of codebook can be further divided into more specific types. For example, type 1-SinglePanel is a codebook type under the aforementioned type 1 codebook. For a more detailed description of codebook types, please refer to the technical specification TS 38.214 of the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project).

7. Channel information;

It represents information that reflects channel characteristics and channel quality.

As an example, the channel information includes at least one of the following: Channel State Information (CSI), Channel Time-Varying Information, or Channel Frequency Offset Information, etc. The following explanation primarily uses CSI as an example of channel information. It is understood that any information reflecting channel characteristics and channel quality is applicable to the embodiments of this application.

Taking the method of obtaining downlink CSI through uplink feedback from terminal devices on the network side as an example, specifically, the network side sends downlink reference signals to the terminal devices, and the terminal devices receive the downlink reference signals. Since the terminal devices know the transmission information of the downlink reference signals, they can estimate (or measure) the downlink channel that the downlink reference signals have passed through based on the received downlink reference signals. Then, based on the measurement, the terminal devices can obtain the downlink channel matrix, generate CSI, and feed the CSI back to the network side.

As an example, CSI includes at least one of the following: channel quality indicator (CQI), precoding matrix indicator (PMI), rank indicator (RI), CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI, layer indicator (LI), reference signal received power (RSRP), or signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), etc. The signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio can also be called the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio).

Utilizing more spectrum resources is a crucial means of enhancing wireless channel capabilities, with the 6GHz band emerging as the next available spectrum resource for wireless communication. However, higher frequency bands result in greater signal energy loss over the same transmission distance. To overcome this issue, larger-scale antenna arrays are typically employed on the network device side to weight the transmitted signal, achieving higher array gain and thus increasing signal transmission energy. To reduce implementation costs, large-scale antenna arrays on the network device side usually adopt an HBF architecture, where a single digital channel drives multiple antenna elements through multiple phase shifters. Downlink signal transmission on the network device side typically employs both analog and digital domain weighting.

Referring to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of the HBF architecture on the network device side, as shown in Figure 3, under the HBF architecture, network devices typically use multiple analog beams to achieve coverage of different areas within the cell. Different analog beams cover terminal devices in different areas. Considering the mid-to-low frequency bands, the channel environment is rich in multipath propagation, and the same terminal device can be served by different analog beams. That is, in addition to the optimal analog beam seen by the terminal device, other non-optimal analog beams can also provide data transmission to the terminal device at a lower rate. When there are multiple terminal devices to be scheduled within the cell, in order to enable simultaneous transmission under resource reuse among multiple terminal devices within the cell, the terminal devices can measure the channel state information under multiple analog beams, thereby providing input for the network device's data scheduling decision.

Specifically, the configuration for channel state information (CSI) reporting includes one or more reference signal resource sets. Each reference signal resource set contains one or more reference signal resources, and each reference signal resource contains one or more reference signal ports. For the HBF architecture, different analog beams are associated with different reference signal resources. When the transmitted signals of multiple reference signal resources within the same reference signal resource set originate from the same network device (such as a TRP), the terminal device can select one or more reference signal resources to report CSI information to the network device. The CSI reporting value informs the network device of the one or more reference signal resources associated with the currently reported CSI information.

The following describes the signal transmission process between terminal devices and network devices.

Figure 4 illustrates a signaling transmission diagram for channel measurement between a network device and a terminal device. As shown in Figure 4, the network device can trigger the terminal device to submit a CSI report via a CSI report request message. The terminal device receives and measures the measurement resources CSI-RS resource #0 to CSI-RS resource #(K-1) sent by the network device and obtains the CSI report.

The terminal device determines whether to feed back the current measurement CSI report on the uplink channel resources based on whether the time interval meets the delay parameters Z and Z'.

Measurement resources include: CSI-RS resources (CMR) for channel measurement, channel state information-interference measurement (CSI-IM) for interference measurement, zero-power CSI-RS (ZP CSI-RS) for interference measurement, and non-zero-power CSI-RS (NZP CSI-RS) for interference measurement. For ease of description, this application uses CMR as the measurement resource.

The reported configuration type indicates the CSI transmission method, which can include periodic CSI, semi-persistent CSI, and aperiodic CSI, namely P-CSI, SP-CSI, and A-CSI, respectively. P-CSI can be configured by the network device for the terminal device via Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages, without requiring network device triggering. SP-CSI can be triggered by the network device via the Medium Access Control Element (MAC CE) or Downlink Control Information (DCI), and the terminal device transmits CSI periodically after triggering. SP-CSI triggered by MAC CE is transmitted on the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), while SP-CSI triggered by DCI is transmitted on the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). A-CSI is triggered by the network device via DCI, and after triggering, it is reported only once on the specified PUSCH within the specified time slot.

It should be understood that the above mechanism is generally used for non-periodic CSI acquisition.

In some embodiments, the CSI report can be fed back from the terminal device to the network device separately on uplink channel resources, or the CSI report and uplink data can be multiplexed and fed back from the terminal device to the network device. The configuration of uplink channel measurement resources can be configured through DCI, or indicated through RRC and/or DCI.

It should be understood that the CSI report includes channel state information. Channel state information may include one or more of the following: indexes of one or more resources, channel quality indicator (CQI), reference signal received signal quality (RSRP), precoding matrix indicator (PMI), rank indicator (RI), layer indicator (LI), channel state information resource indicator (CRI) field, synchronization/broadcast signal block resource index (SSBRI), etc.

In order for the terminal equipment to determine whether to feed back the currently measured CSI report on the uplink channel resources, it is necessary to estimate the channel and/or interference based on the reference signal and calculate the CSI based on the estimated channel and/or interference. However, estimating the channel and/or interference based on the reference signal and calculating the CSI based on the estimated channel and/or interference requires a certain amount of calculation or preparation time. This timing is related to factors such as the user's CSI processing capability type, CSI latency type (including Low latency CSI class and High latency CSI class), subcarrier spacing (determined by frame-related numerics; in NR, numerics are used to determine the subcarrier spacing or symbol duration of the frame structure; the relationship between the numeric value μ and the subcarrier spacing is Δf = 2 ^μ · 15 [kHz], where μ takes values of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ..., so the subcarrier spacing and numerics in this document can be used interchangeably), the number of CSI-RS ports, the number of CSI-RS resources, the codebook type (including Type I and Type II codebooks), and whether CSI is used for other data multiplexing.

The standard defines two parameters, Z and Z'. The values of parameters Z and Z' are preset values related to the type of CSI report and the subcarrier spacing. Parameter Z represents the minimum number of symbols between the end time of the last symbol of the PDCCH that triggers the CSI report (i.e., the DCI that contains the CSI report request field) and the start time of the first symbol of the uplink data channel used to carry the CSI report. Parameter Z' represents the minimum number of symbols between the end time of the last symbol of the measurement resource used for the current CSI report measurement and the start time of the first symbol of the uplink data channel used to carry the CSI report.

In other words, Z represents the minimum time required for the terminal to perform at least one of the following operations when calculating CSI: demodulating PDCCH, receiving one or more reference signals, channel measurement, interference measurement, and/or CSI calculation. Z is divided into Low latency CSI class and High latency class based on the number of ports in the CSI-RS and the type of codebook. Z' represents the minimum time required for the terminal to perform at least one of the following operations when calculating CSI: receiving one or more reference signals, channel measurement, interference measurement, and CSI calculation.

However, in scenarios where multiple CRIs need to be reported, the reporting time for multiple CRIs may be mismatched or too long, resulting in a significant delay in CSI acquisition.

To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a communication method and apparatus that, by defining the start time of a first symbol, enables a terminal device to complete CSI measurement and reporting in multiple CRI scenarios.

The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, and can be applied to the communication system shown in Figure 1 above.

It should be understood that the embodiments of this application can be applied to communication scenarios where the terminal side and the network side communicate. For example, the network side may include network devices, CUs or DUs within the network devices, or modules (e.g., circuits, chips, or chip systems) within the network devices, or logical nodes, logical modules, or software capable of implementing all or part of the access network device functions. The terminal side may include terminal devices, communication modules within the terminal devices, or circuits or chips (such as modem chips, also known as baseband chips, or system-on-a-chip (SoC) chips containing modem cores, or system-in-package (SIP) chips) within the terminal devices responsible for communication functions, or logical nodes, logical modules, or software capable of implementing all or part of the access network device functions. For ease of description, the following communication methods are described using network devices and terminal devices as the execution entities. When the terminal side is another node, chip, circuit, or entity, or when the network side is another node, chip, circuit, or entity, the corresponding specific implementation methods are similar and will not be repeated.

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the method 500 includes the following steps. It should be understood that the order of one or more of these steps can be adjusted, and one or more steps can be added or deleted at any position.

S510, the network device sends the first CSI report request information.

Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first CSI report request information.

It should be understood that CSI report request information can be carried in the CSI request field of the downlink control information DCI carried in the physical downlink control information PDCCH.

Alternatively, CSI report request information can be carried in the MAC-CE, for example, the MAC-CE includes a CSI request field.

The CSI report includes Channel State Information (CSI). Channel State Information may include one or more of the following: indexes of one or more resources, Channel Quality Indicator (CQI), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRP), Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI), Rank Indicator (RI), Layer Indicator (LI), Channel State Information Resource Indicator (CRI) field, Synchronization Signal/Physical Broadcast Signal Block Resource Indicator (SSBRI), etc.

In this embodiment of the application, the first CSI report request information is used to indicate feedback of first information. The first information can be a CSI report. The CSI can be the CSI obtained by measuring a first measurement resource, and the CSI measurement can be the current CSI measurement. Alternatively, the CSI can be the CSI obtained from a CSI measurement at any given time.

In addition, a channel state information (CSI) can also be referred to as a channel state report. Channel state information can also be referred to as any of the following: report, measurement report, or CSI report. For more information on channel state information, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the preceding terminology explanation section; they will not be repeated here.

Optionally, the first CSI report request information can be downlink control information (DCI). This downlink control information can also be used to trigger feedback of the first information. Taking A-CSI as an example, the DCI is used to trigger A-CSI measurements, and the feedback time of the CSI obtained from the A-CSI measurement is also indicated by the DCI.

Optionally, the first information can be higher-layer signaling. Taking P-CSI as an example, this higher-layer signaling is used to configure the time for P-CSI/SP-CSI feedback, or to configure the period for terminal devices to report P-CSI/SP-CSI, or to configure the time and frequency resources for terminal devices to report P-CSI/SP-CSI.

Optionally, the feedback time of the first information can refer to a period of time, i.e. a time period, used to indicate that the terminal device can provide feedback of the first CSI within that time period.

Optionally, the feedback time of the first information may also refer to the first symbol of the time-frequency resource in which the terminal device feeds back the first information, or the moment in which the first symbol of the time-frequency resource in which the terminal device feeds back the first information occurs. For example, the above symbol is an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol.

In some embodiments, the feedback time of the first information is determined by the network device.

One possible implementation involves the network device sending RRC signaling to the terminal device, through which it configures one or more CSI reporting configurations (CSI-ReportConfig). Each CSI-ReportConfig is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets (such as a CSI-RS resource set). A reference signal resource set contains one or more reference signal resources, which can be used for channel measurement and/or interference measurement. The reference signal resources can be at least one of the following: NZP CSI-RS resource, zero-power (ZP) CSI-RS resource, CSI-IM resource, or SSB resource.

Optionally, the RRC signaling may also indicate one or more of the following: the value of the number of reported reference signal resources M, the number of reported reference signals _MR that must be measured, the M reported reference signal resource indices CRI, and the _MR reported reference signal resource indices CRI that must be measured, etc.

Optionally, the first CSI report request information indicates one or more of the following: the value of the number of reference signal resources M to be reported, the number of reference signals _MR that must be measured and reported, the number of reference signal resources K configured, the maximum number of CRIs allowed to be reported P, etc. Several examples are given below using the value of M as an example.

Example 1: The first CSI report request information (and/or RRC signaling) indicates the value of M.

Based on this, the terminal device can determine the value of M according to the first CSI report request information, and thus know that M channel state information needs to be reported. Specifically, the network device is configured with K reference signal resources for channel measurement, and the terminal device can select M of these reference signal resources and the corresponding channel state information (i.e., the channel state information of the M reference signal resources) to report to the network device.

One possible implementation is that the first CSI report request information includes the value of M. Optionally, the first CSI report request information includes the values of the number of reference signals M and _R that must be measured and reported, the number of configured reference signal resources K, the maximum number of CRIs allowed to be reported P, etc.

It should be understood that the first CSI report request information can be downlink control information (DCI), and this application does not limit it. The value of M can be carried in the CSI request field of the DCI.

Another possible implementation is that the first CSI report request information includes a numerical value T, which is correlated with the value of M. Based on this, the value of M can be determined according to the numerical value T and this correlation. As an example, the values of T and M can satisfy: M = f(T), where f represents a function.

Optionally, the value of M is determined based on the capabilities of the terminal device, measurement conditions, or codebook type.

The possible values for M can include the following two cases.

One possible scenario is that the value of M is predefined.

In another possible scenario, the value of M is configured. Optionally, the value of M is determined by the network device based on the capability information of the terminal device. For example, before step S510, method 500 further includes: the terminal device informing the network device of its capabilities, such as the maximum number of channel state information that the terminal device can report; and the network device determining the value of M based on the maximum number of channel state information that the terminal device can report.

Example 2: The first CSI report request information (and/or RRC signaling) indicates the number of K reference signal resources, that is, the value of K indicated by the first CSI report request information. Based on this, the terminal device can determine the channel state information corresponding to multiple reference signal resources to be reported according to the first CSI report request information, and thus know the number M of channel state information to be reported. For example, if a channel state information is obtained by channel measurement based on a reference signal on a reference signal resource, then the terminal device can determine M based on K indicated by the first CSI report request information, that is, M = K.

One possible implementation is that the first CSI report request information includes the value of K.

Another possible implementation is that the first CSI report request information includes a numerical value W, which is correlated with the value of K. Based on this, the value of W can be determined according to the numerical value W and this correlation. As an example, the values of W and K can satisfy: K = g(W), where g represents a function.

Example 3: When the codebook type indicated by the first CSI report request information is type 2, M takes the value 1 or 2.

Example 4: When the codebook type indicated by the first CSI report request information is type 1, M takes the value 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Example 5: The base station is configured with a value for M, for example, M can be configured to be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.

It should be understood that the above example uses the value of M. Similar configurations and/or indications can be used for M CRIs, the value of _MR , or _MR CRIs.

S520, the network device sends at least one first measurement resource.

Correspondingly, the terminal device receives and measures at least one first measurement resource.

In this embodiment of the application, the first measurement resource includes: CSI-RS resources for channel measurement, CSI-IM resources for interference measurement, ZP CSI-RS resources for interference measurement, and NZP CSI-RS resources for interference measurement, etc., which are resources used for measurement.

In this application, the number of first measurement resources can be directly determined by the network device; or it can be determined by the network device based on historical information (or prior information); or it can be predefined or preconfigured. Optionally, if some beams cover fewer users, the network device may not configure CSI-RS resources for those beams to reduce overhead. For example, the number of CSI-RS resources can be 2, 4, or 8.

In one implementation, different reference signals correspond to different reference signal port groups or different reference signal resource groups, and are transmitted using a time-division method, that is, transmitted on different time domain resources (i.e., time slots or OFDM symbols).

By using a time-division multiplexing approach, channel information can be measured by transmitting multiple reference signals based on different analog beams within the HBF architecture. Alternatively, channel information with a larger number of ports can be obtained by jointly transmitting reference signals multiple times (each time corresponding to a relatively small number of ports).

In one implementation, the plurality of reference signals are located in one or more adjacent downlink time slots.

In one implementation, the plurality of reference signals are located in K adjacent downlink time slots. Each time slot contains one reference signal.

In one implementation, the plurality of reference signals are located in the same time slot.

In one implementation, different reference signals correspond to different reference signal port groups or different reference signal resource groups, and are transmitted on different frequency domain resources (i.e., component carriers, resource blocks, or different subcarriers). For example, a first antenna group is used for transmission based on a first analog beam; a second antenna group is used for transmission based on a second analog beam. Frequency division can be used for base stations to quickly scan channel information.

Optionally, the reference signal resource configured/triggered to be transmitted in this step is an aperiodic reference signal resource.

Optionally, the reference signal resource configured/triggered to be transmitted in this step is a semi-persistent reference signal resource.

In this embodiment of the application, the transmission time corresponding to the first measurement resource can be understood as the first OFDM symbol or the last OFDM symbol used to transmit the resource.

S530, the terminal equipment determines the reference signal resources to be reported.

After performing channel measurements based on reference signals, the terminal device can report the channel measurement results, such as channel state information, to the network device. Specifically, the terminal device can select M channel state information items to report. Optionally, the number of channel state information items can also be determined based on the number of reference signals that must be measured and reported (MR ₎ , the number of configured reference signal resources (K), and the maximum number of CRIs allowed to be reported (P). This application does not impose any limitations on this. The following explanation uses M as an example.

It should be understood that channel state information may include one or more of the following: PMI, CQI, RI, and CRI, LI, RSRP, CRI, SSBRI, etc. The terminal device can determine whether to report M CRIs or the corresponding CQI/RI/PMI information for the M CRIs. For example, based on N reference signal resources, the terminal device may select the M high-priority CRIs for reporting, or report the PMIs corresponding to the M CRIs.

For example, assuming N=4 (such as CRI#0, CRI#1, CRI#2 and CRI#3) and M=1, the terminal device can report CRI#2, or the PMI#2 corresponding to CRI#2.

The following explanation uses the example of a terminal device reporting M CRIs.

Specifically, the terminal device determines whether to feed back M CRIs based on the first condition.

It should be understood that M can be the number of reported CRIs, which can be understood as the number of reported beams. In this application, the number of reported CRIs can be determined autonomously by the terminal device, for example, by determining the CRIs with better channel quality based on channel measurement results; or, it can be determined by the network device, for example, by determining it through historical information (or prior information) of the number of users covered by the simulated beam; or, it can be determined and indicated by the network device, for example, by setting the value of M in the DCI indicator, or by sending RRC signaling or DCI indicating M CRIs to the terminal device after determining M CRIs; or, it can be predefined or preconfigured. For example, the number of reported CRIs can be 2, 4, or 6.

For example, the network device sends a second message to the terminal device, which may be a CSI report request message. This second message indicates the maximum number of CRIs P that can be reported, where P is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The terminal device determines the number of CRIs M to be reported based on the second message and the measurement results of the first measurement resource. The measurement results of the first measurement resource are obtained by performing channel measurements on M reference signals of the first measurement resource, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to P. For example, P = 4, M = 2; or P = 3, M = 3; or P = 6, M = 4, etc.

For example, the network device determines the number M of CRIs to be reported by using historical information (or prior information) about the number of users covered by the simulated beam, and the network device sends a third message to the terminal device, which can be a CSI report request message. This third message indicates the number M of CRIs to be reported, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

In some embodiments, the value of M can be determined based on the codebook type in the CSI report. For example, if the codebook type is Type I, then M≤4; or if the codebook type is Type II, then M≤2.

The first condition includes that the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of the first symbol of the first measurement resource is greater than or equal to the first delay, or that the feedback time of the first information is after the first time. The first time is determined based on the end time of the first symbol and the first delay.

It should be understood that the first delay can be the processing delay of the terminal device.

Optionally, the first time is the end time of the first symbol, which is the first symbol after the first time delay.

If the terminal device meets the first condition mentioned above, it reports M CRIs and provides a valid CSI report. That is, it executes step S540.

In another implementation, the base station explicitly or implicitly indicates the value of _MR or _MR CRIs (e.g., through RRC configuration; or through MAC-CE configuration; or through RRC configuration followed by DCI refresh; or through RRC configuration followed by MAC-CE refresh). These _MR CRIs correspond to the reference signals that the terminal must measure and report, or the reference signals that the terminal prioritizes measuring and reporting. Accordingly, when the terminal device reports CSI information corresponding to M reference signal resources, _MR CRIs are determined based on the base station indication information, while the other MM _MR CRIs are selected by the terminal itself and reported by the terminal. Further, when the terminal reports MM _MR CRIs, the bit... Indicates the selected CRI, where This indicates rounding up to the nearest integer.

It should be noted that the bit size can be determined by rounding up, and optionally, rounding down can also be used in the embodiments of this application. Alternatively, the bit size can be determined by rounding or other methods. In other words, this application does not impose specific restrictions on the method of determining the bit size.

Furthermore, _MR defaults to 0, or _MR defaults to 1, in which case base station indication is not required.

S540, the terminal device sends the first message.

Correspondingly, the network device receives the first information.

The first piece of information can correspond to M CRIs.

In this embodiment of the application, the first symbol can be determined based on at least one first measurement resource. Specifically, the selection of the first symbol includes at least the following methods:

Method 1: The first symbol is determined based on the Mth first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource.

It should be understood that the size of M mentioned above can also be replaced by the number of reference signals that must be measured and _reported , the number of reference signal resources configured, K, the maximum number of CRIs allowed to be reported, etc., and this application does not limit it in this way.

Optionally, the first symbol is the first symbol of the Mth first measurement resource.

Optionally, the first symbol is the last symbol of the Mth first measurement resource.

In some embodiments, the first symbol is the first symbol, or the last symbol, or any symbol of the M+xth first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource, where x is an arbitrary constant, such as x = 1 or x = 2.

In some embodiments, the first symbol is the first symbol of the first first measurement resource of the Mth first measurement resource after time y, or the last symbol, or any symbol. For example, y = 7 or y = 14.

Method 2, the first symbol is determined based on the first first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource.

Optionally, the first symbol is the first symbol of the first measurement resource.

Optionally, the first symbol is the last symbol of the first measurement resource.

Method 3: The first symbol is determined based on the last first measurement resource of at least one first measurement resource.

Optionally, the first symbol is the first symbol of the last first measurement resource.

Optionally, the first symbol is the last symbol of the last first measurement resource.

Method 4, where the first symbol is the first symbol of at least one first measurement resource.

Method 5, where the first symbol is the last symbol of at least one first measurement resource.

Optionally, the first symbol can be the last symbol of any of the K first measurement resources, such as the Mth first measurement resource, the Kth first measurement resource, or the _MRth first measurement resource.

Optionally, the first measurement resource can be divided into m groups of resources, wherein the first symbol can be the first symbol or the last symbol of any group of resources in the first measurement resource.

For example, the following description uses the determination of the first symbol based on the Mth resource of the first measurement resource as an example, in conjunction with Figure 6.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the feedback time of a CSI provided in the present embodiment.

As shown in Figure 6, the first measurement resource includes K channel state information reference signal resources. _Zrs#0 is the symbol of the first reference signal resource in the first measurement resource; _Zrs#M-1 is the symbol of the Mth reference signal resource in the first measurement resource, which is the location of the first symbol; _Zcsi is the first uplink symbol of the PUSCH carrying the first information of M CRIs; _Z'ref is the first symbol after the first delay of the symbol of the Mth reference signal resource (or the first uplink symbol, or the first uplink symbol that can feed back CSI information). That is, _Zrs#M-1 + T2 = _Z'ref , and the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of the first symbol of the first measurement resource can be expressed as _Zcsi - _Zrs#M-1 .

Optionally, when determining Z _csi , the terminal device also needs to consider timing advance. For example, Z _csi is the time or moment when PUSCH is sent. This timing advance is used to reduce the time synchronization error between different terminal devices and network devices, so that the error in the time when the uplink data sent by the terminal device arrives at the network device is smaller.

In this embodiment of the application, the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of the first symbol of the first measurement resource is greater than the first delay, that is, Z _csi - _{Z rs#M-1} > T2. At this time, the first information satisfies the first condition, and the terminal device can provide a valid CSI report in Z _csi .

For example, the feedback time of the first information is after the first time, that is, when Z _csi >Z' _ref , it is determined that the first information satisfies the first condition. The first time can be the end time of the first symbol and the first symbol after the first time delay T2.

In this embodiment of the application, the first delay T2 can be determined based on the number of reported CRIs M, or the reference signals _MR that must be measured and reported, or the number of channel state information reference signal resources K of the first measurement resource, or the size of the maximum number of CRIs P that can be reported.

For example, taking the first delay T2 as determined by the number M of reported CRIs, the first delay T2 can be calculated according to the following formula, for example,

T2＝(M×Z')×(2048×144)×κ×2 ^μ ×T _c +T _switch , or

T2＝(Z'+b×Z1)×(2048×144)×κ×2 ^μ ×T _c +T _switch , or

T2＝(Z'+b×Z'1)×(2048×144)×κ×2 ^μ ×T _c +T _switch , or

T2＝(Z'+b×Z2)×(2048×144)×κ×2 ^μ ×T _c +T _switch , or

T2=(Z'+b×Z'2)×(2048×144)×κ×2 ^μ ×T _c +T _switch .

For example, T2 = (Z'(m)) × (2048 × 144) × κ × 2 ^μ × T _c + T _switch . Here, Z'(m) can be determined based on the number M of reported CRIs.

Specifically, Z’(m) = M × Z’, or Z’(m) = Z’ + b × Z1, or Z’(m) = Z’ + b × Z’1, or Z’(m) = Z’ + b × Z2, or Z’(m) = Z’ + b × Z’2. It should be understood that this application does not limit the method of determining Z′(m).

In this embodiment of the application, the first delay T2 can also be _determined based on the number of CRIs reported by the UE (explicitly or implicitly).

For example, T2 = (Z'( _MR )) × (2048 × 144) × κ × 2 ^μ × _Tc + _Tswitch . Where Z'( _MR ) can be determined based on the number of CRIs reported by the UE, as indicated by the base station (explicitly or _implicitly ).

Specifically, Z'( _MR ) = _MR × Z', or Z'( _MR ) = Z' + b × Z1, or Z'( _MR ) = Z' + b × Z'1, or Z'(M) = Z' + b × Z2, or Z'( _MR ) = Z' + b × Z'2. It should be understood that this application does not limit the method of determining Z'( _MR ).

For example, T2 = (Z'(M, _MR )) × (2048 × 144) × κ × 2 ^μ × _Tc + _Tswitch . Here, Z'(M, _MR ) can be determined based on the number of reported CRIs M and _MR .

Specifically, Z'(MM _R ) = (MM _R ) × Z', or Z'(MM _R ) = Z' + b × Z1, or Z'(MM _R ) = Z' + b × Z'1, or Z'(MM _R ) = Z' + b × Z2, or Z'(MM _R ) = Z' + b × Z'2. It should be understood that this application does not limit the method of determining Z'(MM _R ).

Furthermore, parameter b is related to M and/or _MR mentioned above.

It should be understood that the value of the number of CRIs M reported above can also be replaced by the number of channel state information reference signal resources K of the first measurement resource, or the reference signal _MR that must be measured and reported, or the size of the maximum number of CRIs P that can be reported. This application does not limit this.

In some embodiments, the terminal device determines whether to feed back M CRIs based on a first condition and a second condition.

Specifically, the second condition includes that the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of the last symbol of the first CSI report request information is greater than or equal to the second delay, or the feedback time of the first information is after the second time, the second time being determined based on the end time of the last symbol of the first CSI report request information and the second delay, wherein the second delay is determined based on the magnitude of M, K or P.

It should be understood that the second delay can be the processing delay of the terminal device.

Optionally, the second time is the end time of the last symbol of the first CSI report request information, which is the first symbol after the second delay T1.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another CSI feedback time provided in the present embodiment.

As shown in Figure 7, Z _{_req} is the last symbol of the first CSI report request message; Z _{_csi} is the first uplink symbol containing the PUSCH carrying the first information of M CSI reports; Z_{_ref} is the first symbol (or the first uplink symbol, or the first uplink symbol that can feed back CSI information) after the second delay T₁ of Z _{_req} . That is, Z _{_req} + T₁ = Z_{_ref}, and the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of the last symbol of the first CSI report request message can be expressed as Z _{_csi} - Z_{_req} .

In this embodiment of the application, the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of the last symbol of the first CSI report request information is greater than or equal to the second delay, that is, Z _csi - Z _req > T1. When Z _csi - _{Z rs#M-1} > T2 is satisfied at the same time, the first information satisfies the first condition and the second condition, and the terminal device can provide a valid CSI report in Z _csi .

For example, the feedback time of the first information is after the second time, that is, when Z _csi > Z _ref , it is determined that the first information meets the second condition. The second time can be the end time of the last symbol of the first CSI report request information, which is the first symbol after the second time delay T1.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, which is a schematic diagram of another CSI feedback time provided in this embodiment, the network device sends a first CSI report request information through DCI. Z _req is the last symbol of the first CSI report request information, which is used to indicate feedback of the first information. Z _csi is the first uplink symbol where the PUSCH of the first information corresponding to M CRIs is located. Z _ref is the first symbol after the second delay T1 of Z _req (or the first uplink symbol, or the first uplink symbol that can feed back CSI information).

The network device transmits at least one first measurement resource, wherein the first measurement resource includes K channel state information reference signal resources. Specifically, at least one first measurement resource may include CMR#0 to CMR#K-1. The first measurement resource includes K channel state information reference signal resources. _Zrs#0 is the symbol of the first reference signal resource among the K first measurement resources; _Zrs#M-1 is the symbol of the Mth reference signal resource among the K first measurement resources, which is the location of the first symbol; _Z'ref is the first symbol of the Mth reference signal resource after the first time delay (or the first uplink symbol, or the first uplink symbol that can feed back CSI information).

When a CSI request field in downlink control signaling (e.g., DCI) triggers a PUSCH report for CSI reporting, the UE should provide a valid CSI report for the nth triggered report if the following conditions are met simultaneously:

Condition 1: The PUSCH carrying the nth CSI report mentioned above must have a start time no earlier than the first uplink symbol Z _csi , that is, Z _csi - _{Z rs#M-1} > T2, or Z _csi >Z' _{ref ;}

Condition 2: The PUSCH carrying the nth CSI report mentioned above must have its first uplink symbol Z _csi start no earlier than symbol Z' _ref , that is, Z _csi - _{Z req} > T1, or Z _csi > Z _ref .

It should be understood that the position of the above symbol can be the start time or the end time of the symbol.

In some embodiments, when the terminal device determines that condition 1 is not met based on the time interval, that is, when the start time of the first uplink symbol Z _csi carrying the nth CSI report is earlier than that of symbol Z' _ref , and Z _csi >Z' _ref :

The terminal device does not consider the CSI request, or does not update the nth CSI report;

If the DCI triggers only one report, the terminal device ignores the DCI;

If the DCI triggers only multiple reports, the terminal device ignores the report.

In some embodiments, when the terminal device determines that the condition is not met by the time interval, that is, when the start time of the first uplink symbol Z _csi carrying the nth CSI report is earlier than the symbol Z _ref , and Z _csi > Z _ref , the terminal device ignores the scheduled DCI.

In this embodiment of the application, the second delay T1 can be determined based on the number of reported CRIs M, or the reference signals _MR that must be measured and reported, or the number of channel state information reference signal resources K of the first measurement resource, or the size of the maximum number of CRIs P that can be reported.

For example, taking the second delay T1 as determined by the number M of reported CRIs, the second delay T1 can be calculated according to the following formula, for example,

T1＝(M×Z)×(2048×144)×κ×2 ^μ ×T _c +T _switch , or

T1＝(Z+a×Z1)×(2048×144)×κ×2 ^μ ×T _c +T _switch , or

T1＝(Z+a×Z'1)×(2048×144)×κ×2 ^μ ×T _c +T _switch , or

T1＝(Z+a×Z2)×(2048×144)×κ×2 ^μ ×T _c +T _switch , or

T1=(Z+a×Z'2)×(2048×144)×κ×2 ^μ ×T _c +T _switch .

For example, T1 = (Z(m)) × (2048 × 144) × κ × 2 ^μ × T _c + T _switch . Here, Z(m) can be determined based on the number M of reported CRIs.

Specifically, Z(m) = M × Z, or Z(m) = Z + a × Z1, or Z(m) = Z + a × Z’1, or Z(m) = Z + a × Z2, or Z(m) = Z + a × Z’2. It should be understood that this application does not limit the method of determining Z(m).

It should be understood that the value of the number of CRIs M reported above can also be replaced by the number of channel state information reference signal resources K of the first measurement resource, or the size of the maximum number of CRIs P that can be reported. This application does not limit this.

In this embodiment of the application, the second delay T1 can also be _determined based on the number of CRIs reported by the UE (explicitly or implicitly).

For example, T1 = (Z( _MR )) × (2048 × 144) × κ × 2 ^μ × _Tc + _Tswitch . Here, Z( _MR ) can be determined based on the number of _CRIs reported by the UE, as indicated by the base station (explicitly or implicitly).

Specifically, Z( _MR ) = _MR × Z, or Z( _MR ) = Z + a × Z1, or Z( _MR ) = Z + a × Z1, or Z(M) = Z + a × Z2, or Z( _MR ) = Z + a × Z'2. It should be understood that this application does not limit the method of determining Z( _MR ).

For example, T2 = (Z(M, _MR )) × (2048 × 144) × κ × 2 ^μ × _Tc + _Tswitch . Here, Z(M, _MR ) can be determined based on the number of reported CRIs M and _MR .

Specifically, Z(MM _R ) = (MM _R ) × Z, or Z(MM _R ) = Z + a × Z1, or Z(MM _R ) = Z + a × Z'1, or Z(MM _R ) = Z + a × Z2, or Z(MM _R ) = Z + a × Z'2. It should be understood that this application does not limit the method of determining Z(MM _R ).

Furthermore, parameter a is related to M and/or _MR mentioned above.

in, A can be the number of updated CSI reports, (Z(m), Z'(m)) corresponds to the m-th updated CSI report, κ = 64, _Tc is the sampling time, and _Tswitch is the uplink switching time.

It should be understood that the value of μ can be determined based on f(μ _PDCCH , μ _CSI-RS , μ _UL ), which corresponds to the subcarrier spacing of DCI, CSI-RS, and PUSCH. Here, μ _PDCCH is the subcarrier spacing of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) corresponding to the m-th CSI report; μ _CSI-RS is the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal corresponding to the m-th CSI report; μ _UL is the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the uplink resource carrying the m-th CSI report; f() is the maximum value of the input parameters (e.g., the maximum value of μ _PDCCH , μ _CSI-RS , and μ _UL ), the minimum value of the input parameters (e.g., the minimum value of μ _PDCCH , μ _CSI-RS , and μ _UL ), the average value of the input parameters, or a predetermined value. The predetermined value includes one of the following: a fixed value (e.g., 0), the numeric corresponding to PUSCH, and the numeric corresponding to the reference signal.

The value of b can be determined in advance by the base station and the terminal.

For example, the value of b can be determined using Tables 1a, 1b, or 1c. It should be understood that Tables 1a, 1b, and 1c can be arbitrarily modified to form new embodiments. These modifications are not limited to adjusting the specific value of parameter b, increasing or decreasing the number of rows, or increasing or decreasing the number of columns.

Table 1a

Table 1b

Table 1c

Z(m) and/or Z’(m) can be determined in a way that is agreed upon in advance by the base station and the terminal.

For example: based on the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the reference numberology when calculating CSI, calculate the number of NZP CSI-RS resources for CSI, and determine Z(m) and/or Z’(m) together with other data multiplexing when CSI feedback.

For example, in NR, the values of parameters Z(m) and/or Z'(m) are shown in Tables 2a, 2b and 3a, 3b. For example, when max(μ _PDCCH , μ _CSI-RS , μ _UL )≤3, it can be determined by Table 2a.

In some embodiments, the detailed values of Z and Z’ can be determined according to different requirements. Specifically, Z1 and Z’1, Z2 and Z’2, Z3 and Z’3, and Z4 and Z’4 can represent Z and Z’ under different requirements.

In one implementation 1, when CSI is based on a first codebook type (e.g., CodebookType is set to 'typeI-SinglePanel', 'typeI-SinglePanel-r19', 'typeI-MultiPanel', or 'typeI-MultiPanel'), (Z(m), Z′(m)) take (Z1, Z′1) from Table 2a respectively.

In one implementation 2, when CSI is based on a second codebook type (e.g., CodebookType is set to ‘typeII-r16’, ‘typeII-PortSelection-r16’, ‘typeII-r19’, or ‘typeII-PortSelection-r19’), (Z(m), Z′(m)) take (Z2, Z′2) from Table 3a respectively.

In one implementation method 3, when M = 1, (Z(m), Z′(m)) takes (Z1, Z′1) from Table 2a respectively; when M > 1, (Z(m), Z′(m)) takes (Z4, Z′4) from Table 2b respectively.

In one implementation 4, when M = 1 and the first codebook type (e.g., CodebookType is set to 'typeI-SinglePanel', 'typeI-SinglePanel-r19', 'typeI-MultiPanel', or 'typeI-MultiPanel'), (Z(m), Z′(m)) take (Z1, Z′1) from Table 2a respectively; when M > 1 and the first codebook type is used, (Z(m), Z′(m)) take (Z4, Z′4) from Table 2b respectively.

In one implementation 5, when M = 1 and the second codebook type (e.g., CodebookType is set to ‘typeII-r16’, ‘typeII-PortSelection-r16’, ‘typeII-r19’, or ‘typeII-PortSelection-r19’), (Z(m), Z′(m)) take (Z1, Z′1) from Table 3a respectively; when M > 1 and the first codebook type is used, (Z(m), Z′(m)) take (Z1, Z′1) from Table 3b respectively.

Furthermore, the value of (Z(m), Z′(m)) or the method of determining the value is determined according to the terminal capability. For example, when the terminal capability supports the first capability, it is determined according to the above implementation method 1 or 2; as another example, when the terminal capability supports the second capability, it is determined according to the above implementation method 3; as yet another example, when the terminal capability supports the third capability, it is determined according to the above implementation method 4 or 5.

Furthermore, the first, second, or third capability also relates to the number of CSI processing units (O _CPUs ) used to calculate CSI reports. For example, when the O _CPU of the first capability is independent of M or _MR , the O _CPU of the second or third capability is independent of M or _MR . For example, O _CPU = M or O _CPU = M+1.

Alternatively, the O _CPU is independent of M or _MR , and the values of (Z(m), Z′(m)) are determined by the above implementation method 1 or 2.

Alternatively, _{the CPU} O is related to M or _MR , and the values of (Z(m), Z′(m)) are determined by the above implementation methods 3, 4 or 5.

Table 2a

Table 2b

Table 3a

Table 3b

It should be understood that in Tables 3a and 3b, _Xμ can be determined based on the UE's reporting capability BeamReportTiming, and the value of KB can be determined based on the UE's reporting capability beamSwitchTiming as defined in standard TS 38.306.

In some embodiments, the value of 'a' can be determined in a manner agreed upon in advance by the base station and the terminal.

For example, the value of 'a' can be determined using Tables 4a, 4b, or 4c. It should be understood that Tables 4a, 4b, and 4c can be arbitrarily modified to form new embodiments. These modifications are not limited to adjusting the specific value of parameter 'a', increasing or decreasing the number of rows, or increasing or decreasing the number of columns.

Table 4a

Table 4b

Table 4c

It should be understood that the value of Z can be at least one of the following: Z2+Z1, Z2+Z’1, 2*Z2, 3*Z2, etc.

The value of Z’ can be at least one of the following: Z’2+Z1, Z’2+Z’1, 2*Z’2, 3*Z’2, etc.

In some embodiments, the values of Z and Z' can be determined based on the number of reported CRIs M, or the number of reported reference signals _MR that must be measured, or the number of channel state information reference signal resources K of the first measurement resource, or the size of the maximum number of reported CRIs P.

For example, the values of Z and Z’ can be determined using Tables 5a, 5b, and 5c.

Table 5a

Table 5b

Table 5c

It should be understood that Tables 2, 3, and 5 above show the possible values and forms of parameters Z(m) and/or Z’(m). In some embodiments, the values of parameters Z(m) and Z’(m) may be located in different tables, or in different positions in different tables, or at least one of parameters Z(m) and Z’(m) may adopt other possible values or forms. That is to say, the values of parameters Z(m) and/or Z’(m) also include other combinations of forms, which are not limited in this application.

Optionally, the values of Z and Z’ can be determined based on the capability information of the terminal device. Among them, CSI processing capability includes, but is not limited to: CSI processing capability type A (Type A CSI processing capability) and CSI processing capability type B (Type B CSI processing capability).

Optionally, the values of Z and Z’ can be determined based on the number of CSI-RS ports, the codebook type of the CSI report, the type of report, and/or the number of resource configurations.

The codebook type can include any of the following: Type I Single-Panel Codebook, Type I Multi-Panel Codebook, Type II Codebook, Type II Port Selection Codebook, Enhanced Type II Codebook, Enhanced Type II Port Selection Codebook, Further enhanced Type II port selection codebook, Enhanced Type II codebook for CJT, Further enhanced Type II port selection codebook for CJT, Enhanced Type II codebook for predicted PMI, Further enhanced Type II port selection codebook for predicted PMI, etc. For detailed descriptions, please refer to the relevant chapters on PMI in the 3GPP technical specification TS38.214. The reporting types can be specifically divided into: periodic reporting, semi-persistent reporting, and aperiodic reporting.

For example, if the CSI report is configured with N=1 resource number, the codebook type is configured as typeII-Doppler or typeII-Doppler-PortSelection', and the NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet corresponding to the channel measurement is aperiodic, then the value of (Z, Z’) can be (2*Z2, 2*Z’2).

In some embodiments, the first symbol is determined based on the reporting method of at least one first measurement resource or first information. Specifically, when the first CSI report request information indicates joint reporting of the first information, or when at least one first measurement resource includes a virtual resource, the first symbol is the last symbol of the last first measurement resource. When the first CSI report request information indicates no joint reporting of the first information, or when at least one first measurement resource does not include a virtual resource, the first symbol is the last symbol of the Mth first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the first first measurement resource, and the virtual resource does not carry a reference signal.

It should be understood that CSI reports can be submitted independently or jointly. Uplink transmission-related information corresponding to multiple CSI resource sets can be reported in one signaling message or in multiple signaling messages. Uplink transmission-related information corresponding to multiple CSI resource sets can be reported in one resource or in multiple resources (e.g., reported separately via two PUSCHs).

Optionally, all reference signal resources in a CSI resource set correspond to the same uplink transmission related information.

Optionally, all reference signal resources in a CSI resource set that report identification and/or channel quality correspond to the same uplink transmission-related information.

Optionally, whether the first information is jointly reported may include an indication of whether multiple PMIs are jointly reported, or an indication of whether multiple CQIs are jointly reported, or an indication of whether RIs are jointly reported. It should be understood that joint reporting of multiple PMIs can be interpreted as multiple beams sharing a single PMI, or in other words, joint reporting of multiple PMIs can be interpreted as reporting a single PMI, indicating that multiple PMIs share this single reported PMI. The meaning of joint reporting of multiple CQIs or multiple RIs is similar. Conversely, non-joint reporting of multiple PMIs can be understood as multiple PMIs reporting separately, such as independent reporting and/or compressed reporting. In this application, the indication of whether multiple PMIs/multiple CQIs/multiple RIs are jointly reported can be determined autonomously by the terminal device; or, it can be determined by the network device through historical information (or prior information) of the number of users covered by the simulated beam, and configured to the terminal device via signaling; or, it can be predefined or preconfigured, which is not limited in this application.

In this embodiment, the first measurement resource may further include a virtual resource that has not transmitted a reference signal. A virtual resource can be understood as a resource that can be used to transmit a reference signal but has not transmitted one; that is, a virtual resource does not carry a reference signal. To distinguish it from a virtual resource, a resource used to transmit a reference signal can be called an actual resource.

In this embodiment, the virtual resource can also be replaced by coefficients or weights, whereby the weights can be used to determine the channel coefficients of the virtual resource. The coefficients can include one or more weights used to determine the channel coefficients of the virtual resource; for example, the coefficients can be a vector composed of one or more weights. The channel coefficients of the virtual resource can be determined by the channel coefficients of the actual resource and the corresponding weights.

In some embodiments, the channel coefficients can be obtained in the following two ways.

Method 1: The terminal device acquires K _{_s} reference signals, which can be used to obtain X = K_{_s} group channel coefficients (or channel responses). For example, each reference signal port group corresponds to an analog beam, and K _{_s} groups can be used to obtain the channel coefficients (or channel responses) of K _{_s} analog beams.

Method 2: The terminal device obtains X > K s group channel coefficients. For example, K s  reference signals can be used to obtain K s  channel coefficients (or channel responses), denoted as A 0 , A1 , ..., AK s-1 . Taking the channel coefficients on a certain subcarrier as an example, the dimension corresponding to AK is related to the number of UE receiving antenna ports. Based on the channel information of K s  port groups, and the second information... (or represented as a row vector) x second-channel coefficients can be obtained For example, K s = 2 and x = 4, and the channel coefficients corresponding to the K s reference signals are A0, A1, and A2, respectively. And x second channel coefficients are H0 = A0 , H1 = A1 , H2 = jA0 + A1 , H3 = A0 + jA1 , where,

It should be understood that Method 2, for the HBF architecture (or analog beamforming architecture), can acquire more channel information with fewer reference signals. For example, the base station can use K _{_s} sets of orthogonal analog weights to transmit a reference signal port group, thereby obtaining channel information corresponding to K _{_s} analog ports; while in the terminal device, through the weighting of the analog port channels (i.e., ... This can be equivalent to an analog beam, thus obtaining channel information for M > K _^s new analog beams. In this way, the terminal device measures the encrypted beam channel information. Furthermore, this method can also be applied to digital beamforming architectures.

The following describes another possible implementation of the reporting method in accordance with the embodiments of this application, with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another CSI feedback time provided in the present embodiment.

For the nth report, Z′ _ref (k-1) represents the first symbol after the first time T2 following the symbol Z _rs#k-1 of the kth reference signal resource in the first measurement resource. Where Z′ _ref (k-1) ≤ Z _csi , the terminal can measure that resource, and the terminal can measure, select, generate, and report a CSI report from all resources k that satisfy Z′ _ref (k-1) ≤ Z _csi .

Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, Z _rs#0 is the symbol of the first reference signal resource in the first measurement resource; Z _rs#M-1 is the symbol of the Mth reference signal resource in the first measurement resource, which is the location of the first symbol; Z _csi is the first uplink symbol of the PUSCH carrying the first information of M CRIs; Z' _ref (0) is the first symbol of the first reference signal resource after the first time delay T2; Z' _ref (M-1) is the first symbol of the Mth reference signal resource after the first time delay T2. In this scenario, symbols _Z'ref (0) to _Z'ref (M-1) precede Z _csi , and symbols _Z'ref (M-2) to _Z'ref (K-1) follow Z _csi. That is, the first symbol of the Mth reference signal resource after the first time delay T2, _Z'ref (M-1) < Z _csi , and the first symbol of the M+1th reference signal resource after the first time delay T2, _Z'ref (M) > Z _csi . Therefore, the terminal can feed back the channel information corresponding to the M reference signal resources in this scenario, measure the M reference resources, generate and report the corresponding CSI report.

Optionally, the network device can be configured to allow the terminal device to report a maximum number of CRIs of P.

In some embodiments, when the number of reference signal resources satisfying _Z'ref (k-1)≤Z _csi is less than P, the terminal ignores the nth report, or the terminal does not update the nth report, or does not report, or the terminal only updates the channel information corresponding to the reference resources satisfying _Z'ref (k-1)≤Z _csi in the nth report.

For example, if the number of reference signal resources satisfying _Z'ref (k-1)≤Z _csi is Q, and Q is less than P, then the terminal only updates the channel information corresponding to the Q reference signal resources in the nth report.

In some embodiments, when the number of reference signal resources satisfying _Z'ref (k-1)≤Z _csi is less than P, and the CSI request triggers only one CSI report, the terminal ignores the nth report, or the terminal does not update the nth report, or does not report, or the terminal only updates the channel information corresponding to the reference resources satisfying _Z'ref (k-1)≤Z _csi in the nth report.

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another CSI feedback time provided in the present embodiment.

As shown in Figure 10, the first symbol _Z'ref (0) of the first reference signal resource after the first time delay T2 and the first symbol _Z'ref (K-1) of the Kth reference signal resource after the first time delay T2 are both before Z _csi . In other words, the terminal can measure, select, generate and report CSI reports from the first to the Kth reference signal resources, thereby feeding back the channel information corresponding to the M reference signal resources.

The communication method embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to Figures 1 to 10. The communication device embodiments of this application will now be described in detail below with reference to Figures 11 and 12. It should be understood that the descriptions of the device embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the method embodiments; therefore, any parts not described in detail can be referred to the preceding method embodiments.

Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1100 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 11, the communication device 1100 includes a processing module 1110 and a communication module 1120. The communication device 1100 can be a terminal-side device, or a communication device applied to or used in conjunction with a terminal-side device to implement a method executed on the terminal-side device, such as a chip, chip system, or circuit; or, the communication device 1100 can be a network-side device, or a communication device applied to or used in conjunction with a network-side device to implement a method executed on the network-side device, such as a chip, chip system, or circuit.

The communication module can also be called a transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver unit, or transceiver device. The processing module can also be called a processor, processing board, processing unit, or processing device. Optionally, the communication module is used to perform the sending and receiving operations on the terminal side and network side in the above method. The device in the communication module that implements the receiving function can be considered a receiving unit, and the device in the communication module that implements the sending function can be considered a sending unit; that is, the communication module includes a receiving unit and a sending unit.

Alternatively, the transceiver may include a transmitter and/or a receiver.

Optionally, the communication device 1100 may further include a storage module 1101 for storing device program code and/or data.

In one example, when the communication device 1100 is applied to the terminal side, for example, the terminal or a communication module in the terminal, or a circuit or chip in the terminal that is responsible for communication functions.

The processing module 1110 can be used to implement the processing function on the terminal side in the above embodiments, and the communication module 1120 can be used to implement the sending and receiving function on the terminal side in the above embodiments.

The terminal side includes terminal devices, or chips or circuits in the terminal devices (such as modem chips, also known as baseband chips, or system-on-chip (SoC) chips or system-in-package (SIP) chips containing modem cores), or functional modules in the terminal devices that can call and execute programs.

In one possible design, when the communication device 1100 is a terminal or a communication module within a terminal, the functionality of the processing module 1110 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core. The functionality of the communication module 1120 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

In one possible design, when the communication device 1100 is a circuit or chip in a terminal responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing module 1110 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the communication module 1120 can be implemented by the interface circuitry or data transceiver circuitry on the aforementioned chip.

In one example, when the communication device 1100 is applied to the network side, it is for example, a network device or a communication module in a network device, or a circuit or chip in a terminal responsible for communication functions. The processing module 1110 can be used to implement the processing functions on the network side in the above embodiments, and the communication module 1120 can be used to implement the transmit and receive functions on the network side in the above embodiments.

The network side includes network devices, or chips or circuits within network devices, or central units (CUs) or distributed units (DUs) within network devices, or functional modules within network devices that can call and execute programs.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the aforementioned communication module and/or processing module can be implemented through virtual modules. For example, the processing module can be implemented through software functional units or virtual devices, and the communication module can be implemented through software functions or virtual devices. Alternatively, the processing module or communication module can also be implemented through physical devices, such as chips/circuits (e.g., integrated circuits or logic circuits). The communication module can be an input/output circuit and/or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operation) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operation); the processing module is an integrated processor, microprocessor, or circuit (e.g., integrated circuits or logic circuits).

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

The module division in this application is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods are possible. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various examples of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1200 provided in an embodiment of this application. Optionally, the communication device 1200 may be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, in this application, the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 can be used to implement the functions of any device (e.g., terminal device, network device) in the communication system described in the foregoing examples. The communication device 1200 may include at least one processor 1210. Optionally, the processor 1210 is coupled to a memory 1220, which may be located within the device, integrated with the processor, or located outside the device. For example, the communication device 1200 may further include at least one memory 1220. The memory 1220 stores the computer programs, computer programs or instructions, and/or data necessary for implementing any of the above examples; the processor 1210 may execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 1220 to complete the methods in any of the above examples.

The communication device 1200 may also include a communication interface 1230, through which the communication device 1200 can interact with other devices. For example, the communication interface 1230 may be a transceiver, transceiver circuit, bus, module, pin, or other type of communication interface. When the communication device 1200 is a chip-based device or circuit, the communication interface 1230 in the device 1200 may also be an input/output circuit, capable of inputting information (or receiving information) and outputting information (or sending information). The processor 1210 may be an integrated processor, microprocessor, integrated circuit, or logic circuit, etc., and the processor can determine the output information based on the input information.

In one example, when the communication device 1200 is applied to the terminal side, the processor 1210 can be used to implement the processing function of the terminal side in the above embodiments, and the communication interface 1230 can be used to implement the sending and receiving function of the terminal side in the above embodiments.

The terminal side includes terminal devices, or chips or circuits in the terminal devices (such as modem chips, also known as baseband chips, or system-on-chip (SoC) chips or system-in-package (SIP) chips containing modem cores), or functional modules in the terminal devices that can call and execute programs.

In another example, when the communication device 1200 is applied to the network side, the processor 1210 can be used to implement the network side processing function in the above embodiments, and the communication interface 1230 can be used to implement the network side sending and receiving function in the above embodiments.

The network side includes network devices, or chips or circuits within network devices, or central units (CUs) or distributed units (DUs) within network devices, or functional modules within network devices that can call and execute programs.

The coupling in this application refers to indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1210 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1220 and the communication interface 1230. This application does not limit the specific connection medium between the processor 1210, the memory 1220, and the communication interface 1230.

Optionally, as shown in FIG12, the processor 1210, memory 1220, and communication interface 1230 are interconnected via bus 1240. Optionally, the bus may include buses of the types such as address bus, data bus, and control bus. In addition, for ease of illustration, FIG12 shows one bus 1240, but does not indicate that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

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

It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes a variety of forms, such as: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

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

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

This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for implementing the methods executed by a communication device (such as a network side or a terminal side) in the above-described method embodiments.

This application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement the methods performed by a communication device (such as a network side or a terminal side) in the above-described method embodiments.

This application also provides a communication system, which includes the network device and/or terminal device described in the above embodiments.

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

In the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

In this application, examples may be referenced from each other without logical contradiction. For example, methods and/or terms between method embodiments may be referenced from each other, functions and/or terms between device embodiments may be referenced from each other, and functions and/or terms between device examples and method examples may be referenced from each other.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claims (24)

A communication method, characterized in that it includes: Receive first Channel Status Information (CSI) Report Request Information, wherein the first CSI Report Request Information indicates feedback of first information; Receive and measure at least one first measurement resource; Send the first information, which corresponds to M Channel State Information Reference Signal Resource Indicators (CRIs), wherein the first information satisfies a first condition; The first condition includes that the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of the first symbol of the first measurement resource is greater than or equal to a first delay, or that the feedback time of the first information is after a first time, wherein the first time is determined based on the end time of the first symbol and the first delay. Wherein, the first symbol is determined based on the first first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the Mth first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the last first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the first first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the Mth first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the last first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the first symbol of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the at least one first measurement resource. A communication method, characterized in that it includes: Send a first Channel Status Information (CSI) report request message, the first CSI report request message indicating feedback of first information; Send at least one first measurement resource; Receive the first information, the first information corresponds to M Channel State Information Reference Signal Resource Indicators (CRIs), wherein the first information satisfies a first condition; The first condition includes that the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of the first symbol of the first measurement resource is greater than or equal to a first delay, or that the feedback time of the first information is after a first time, wherein the first time is determined based on the end time of the first symbol and the first delay. Wherein, the first symbol is determined based on the first first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the Mth first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the last first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the first first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the Mth first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the last first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the first symbol of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the at least one first measurement resource. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one first measurement resource includes K channel state information reference signal resources, and the M CRIs are determined based on the K channel state information reference signal resources; and/or, The M CRIs are indicated by Radio Resource Control Protocol (RRC) information; and/or, The value of M is indicated by the RRC information; and/or, The M CRIs are indicated by the first CSI report request information; and/or, The value of M is indicated by the first CSI report request information, where M is an integer less than or equal to K. The method according to any one of claims 1-3 is characterized in that the first information further satisfies a second condition, the second condition including that the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of the last symbol of the first CSI report request information is greater than or equal to a second delay, or the feedback time of the first information is after a second time, the second time being determined based on the end time of the last symbol of the first CSI report request information and the second delay. The method according to any one of claims 1-4 is characterized in that the first delay is determined according to the first parameter Z’(m), the second delay is determined according to the second parameter Z(m), wherein the value of Z’(m) is 2*Z’2, and/or the value of Z(m) includes 2*Z2. The method according to any one of claims 1-4 is characterized in that, when the M CRIs are indicated by Radio Resource Control Protocol (RRC) information, the first delay is determined according to the first parameter Z’(m), and the second delay is determined according to the second parameter Z(m), wherein the value of Z’(m) is 2*Z’2, and/or the value of Z(m) is 2*Z2, and Z’2 and Z2 are preset values. The method according to claim 5 or 6 is characterized in that Z’2 and Z2 are OFDM symbol numbers. The method according to any one of claims 5-7 is characterized in that the values of Z'2 and Z2 satisfy the following relationship:
Wherein, μ is the minimum value among the subcarrier spacing of the physical downlink control channel corresponding to the first information, the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal, and the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the uplink resources. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the first symbol is determined according to the reporting method of the at least one first measurement resource or the first information, wherein, When the first CSI report request information indicates that the first information is jointly reported, or when the at least one first measurement resource includes a virtual resource, the first symbol is the last symbol of the last first measurement resource; When the first CSI report request information indicates that the first information is not jointly reported, or when the at least one first measurement resource does not include the virtual resource, the first symbol is the last symbol of the Mth first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the first first measurement resource, and the virtual resource does not carry a reference signal. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the first symbol is determined based on the Mth first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, comprising: The first symbol is the last symbol of the (M+x)th first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, where x is an arbitrary constant; or The first symbol is the last symbol of the first first measurement resource after time y for the Mth first measurement resource. A communication device, characterized in that it includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit connected to the transceiver unit; The transceiver unit is used to receive first channel state information (CSI) report request information, wherein the first CSI report request information indicates feedback of first information. Receive and measure at least one first measurement resource; Send the first information, which corresponds to M Channel State Information Reference Signal Resource Indicators (CRIs), wherein the first information satisfies a first condition; The first condition includes that the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of the first symbol of the first measurement resource is greater than or equal to a first delay, or that the feedback time of the first information is after a first time, wherein the first time is determined based on the end time of the first symbol and the first delay. Wherein, the first symbol is determined based on the first first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the Mth first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the last first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the first first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the Mth first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the last first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the first symbol of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the at least one first measurement resource. A communication device, characterized in that it includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit connected to the transceiver unit; The transceiver unit is used to send a first channel state information (CSI) report request information, wherein the first CSI report request information indicates feedback of first information. Send at least one first measurement resource; Receive the first information, the first information corresponds to M Channel State Information Reference Signal Resource Indicators (CRIs), wherein the first information satisfies a first condition; The first condition includes that the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of the first symbol of the first measurement resource is greater than or equal to a first delay, or that the feedback time of the first information is after a first time, wherein the first time is determined based on the end time of the first symbol and the first delay. Wherein, the first symbol is determined based on the first first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the Mth first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is determined based on the last first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the first first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the Mth first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the last first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the first symbol of the at least one first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the at least one first measurement resource. The communication apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the at least one first measurement resource includes K channel state information reference signal resources, and the M CRIs are determined based on the K channel state information reference signal resources; and/or, The M CRIs are indicated by Radio Resource Control Protocol (RRC) information; and/or, The value of M is indicated by the RRC information; and/or, The M CRIs are indicated by the first CSI report request information; and/or, The value of M is indicated by the first CSI report request information, where M is an integer less than or equal to K. The communication device according to any one of claims 11-13 is characterized in that the first information further satisfies a second condition, the second condition including that the time interval between the feedback time of the first information and the end time of the last symbol of the first CSI report request information is greater than or equal to a second delay, or the feedback time of the first information is after a second time, the second time being determined based on the end time of the last symbol of the first CSI report request information and the second delay. The communication device according to any one of claims 11-14 is characterized in that the first delay is determined according to the first parameter Z’(m), the second delay is determined according to the second parameter Z(m), wherein the value of Z’(m) is 2*Z’2, and/or the value of Z(m) includes 2*Z2, and Z’2 and Z2 are preset values. The communication device according to any one of claims 11-14 is characterized in that, when the M CRIs are indicated by Radio Resource Control Protocol (RRC) information, the first delay is determined according to the first parameter Z’(m), and the second delay is determined according to the second parameter Z(m), wherein the value of Z’(m) is 2*Z’2, and/or the value of Z(m) is 2*Z2, and Z’2 and Z2 are preset values. The communication device according to claim 15 or 16 is characterized in that Z’2 and Z2 are OFDM symbol numbers. The communication device according to any one of claims 15-17 is characterized in that the values of Z'2 and Z2 satisfy the following relationship:
Wherein, μ is the minimum value among the subcarrier spacing of the physical downlink control channel corresponding to the first information, the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal, and the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the uplink resources. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 11-18, characterized in that the first symbol is determined according to the reporting method of the at least one first measurement resource or the first information, wherein, When the first CSI report request information indicates that the first information is jointly reported, or when the at least one first measurement resource includes a virtual resource, the first symbol is the last symbol of the last first measurement resource; When the first CSI report request information indicates that the first information is not jointly reported, or when the at least one first measurement resource does not include the virtual resource, the first symbol is the last symbol of the Mth first measurement resource, or the first symbol is the last symbol of the first first measurement resource, and the virtual resource does not carry a reference signal. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 11-19, characterized in that the first symbol is determined based on the Mth first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, comprising: The first symbol is the last symbol of the (M+x)th first measurement resource of the at least one first measurement resource, where x is an arbitrary constant; or The first symbol is the last symbol of the first first measurement resource after time y for the Mth first measurement resource. A communication device, characterized in that it includes a module or unit for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10. A communication device, characterized in that it includes a processor coupled to a memory storing a computer program or instructions, wherein the computer program or instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program or instructions that, when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10. A computer program product, characterized in that, when the computer program product is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.