CN112468274B

CN112468274B - Reference signal transmission method and related equipment

Info

Publication number: CN112468274B
Application number: CN201910851689.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吴晔; 毕晓艳
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-09
Filing date: 2019-09-09
Publication date: 2022-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-09
Also published as: CN112468274A; WO2021047457A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses a reference signal transmission method and related equipment, wherein the method comprises the following steps: the terminal equipment determines a first period and a second period for sending the reference signal; the terminal equipment transmits at least two first reference signal sets at the first period; the at least two first sets of reference signals are carried over at least two reference signal time periods; the terminal device transmits at least two second reference signal sets at the second periodicity in each of the at least two reference signal periods, wherein each second reference signal set comprises at least one reference signal, and the first reference signal set comprises at least two second reference signal sets. By implementing the method in the embodiment of the application, the network equipment can obtain the channel state of the terminal equipment in time, so that the channel aging problem is avoided.

Description

Reference signal transmission method and related equipment

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a reference signal transmission method and related devices.

Background

In a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, a base station uses a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) to estimate uplink channel quality of different frequency bands. In a Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, because an uplink and a downlink use the same frequency, and uplink and downlink channels are symmetric, based on a received uplink SRS signal, a base station can measure uplink Channel State Information (CSI) of each antenna, and then estimate a downlink channel state by using a channel reciprocity principle to perform corresponding precoding.

In an LTE system, an interval between two adjacent SRS transmissions by a User Equipment (UE) is generally at least 5ms, and for a scenario where the UE moves fast, a channel is time-varying, a downlink channel state of the UE may have changed within an interval time between two SRS transmissions, and if a base station precodes a current channel by using downlink channel state information obtained before the current channel, a precoding matrix may not match the current channel, that is, a problem of channel aging occurs, which causes a reduction in throughput of the UE. For example, the base station receives the SRS sent by the UE in slot (slot)0, obtains the CSI of the downlink channel by using the channel mutual benefit, precodes the downlink data according to the CSI of the downlink channel, and continues to precode the downlink data by using the CSI obtained in slot0 in the slot1-slot9, until a new SRS is received in slot 10. The precoding matrix of the old channel used by the base station on slot9 has not matched the channel of the true slot9, resulting in a reduced throughput for the UE. Therefore, how to avoid the channel aging problem is a technical problem to be solved at present.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a reference signal transmission method and related equipment, and network equipment can obtain the channel state of terminal equipment in time, so that the problem of channel aging is avoided.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a reference signal transmission method, which is applicable to an uplink reference signal transmission process, and the method can be applied to a terminal device side. The method comprises the following steps: the terminal device determines a first period and a second period for transmitting the reference signal. The terminal equipment transmits at least two first reference signal sets in the first period. The at least two first sets of reference signals are carried over at least two reference signal time periods. In each reference signal time period, the terminal device transmits at least two second reference signal sets at the second periodicity, each second reference signal set comprises at least one reference signal, and the first reference signal set comprises at least two second reference signal sets. By implementing the embodiment of the application, the terminal equipment sends the first reference signal set to the network equipment at intervals of the first period, the first reference signal set is sent in one reference signal time period, and the terminal equipment sends the second reference signal set to the network equipment at intervals of the second period in the one reference signal time period, so that the waste of transmission resources caused by the fact that the terminal equipment continuously sends the reference signals can be avoided, the reference signals can be timely sent when the channel state changes, the network equipment can conveniently and timely acquire the downlink channel state, precoding is carried out by adopting the changed channel state information, the channel aging problem is improved, and the UE throughput rate is improved.

In one possible design, the length of each reference signal period is a duration of N consecutive time units, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

In one possible design, each reference signal time segment includes M time units for carrying reference signals, where the M time units are M consecutive time units or M non-consecutive time units, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the terminal equipment receives indication information used for indicating the value of the N. Alternatively, the indication information may directly indicate the value of N. The indication information may also indirectly indicate the value of N, e.g. the indication information may indicate a length of time that the N consecutive time units last. Indicating the value of N directly may save on the indication overhead compared to indicating the value of N indirectly.

Optionally, the value of N may be configured to the terminal device by the network device, so that the configuration is more flexible. The value of N may also be predefined by the protocol.

In one possible design, the terminal device receives indication information indicating the value of N, including: the terminal device receives indication information indicating a value of N through Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) signaling, or Downlink Control Information (DCI).

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the terminal equipment receives indication information used for indicating the value of the M. In this case, the value of M can be configured to the terminal device by the network device, and the configuration is more flexible. Furthermore, the value of M may also be predefined by the protocol.

In one possible design, the terminal device receives indication information indicating a value of the M, including: and the terminal equipment receives indication information for indicating the value of the M through RRC signaling, MACCE signaling or DCI.

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the terminal equipment receives indication information for indicating the first period. In this case, the first period may be configured to the terminal device by the network device, and the configuration is more flexible. The first period may also be predefined by the protocol.

In one possible design, the terminal device receives indication information indicating the first period, and includes: and the terminal equipment receives the indication information for indicating the first period through RRC signaling, MACCE signaling or DCI.

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the terminal equipment receives indication information for indicating the second period. In this case, the second period may be configured to the terminal device by the network device, and the configuration is more flexible. The second period may also be predefined by the protocol.

In one possible design, the terminal device receives indication information indicating the second periodicity, including: and the terminal equipment receives indication information for indicating the second period through RRC signaling, MAC-CE signaling or DCI.

In one possible design, the method further includes: the terminal equipment receives indication information for indicating the time-frequency resource positions of the reference signals in M time units in each reference signal time period.

In one possible design, the frequency bands of the frequency domain resources used to carry the reference signals are the same over at least two reference signal time periods. Under the condition, the process of configuring the frequency hopping index by the network equipment can be reduced, and the configuration overhead is saved.

In one possible design, frequency bands of frequency domain resources used to carry the reference signals are different over at least two reference signal time periods.

In one possible design, frequency hopping (frequency hopping) is employed for frequency bands of frequency domain resources used to carry the reference signals over at least two reference signal time periods. The frequency hopping method can avoid the reference signal transmission in the whole bandwidth occupied in each reference signal time period, namely only part of the reference signal transmission is occupied in each reference signal time period, so that the transmission cost can be saved, different bandwidths can be covered, the interference can be dispersed to different bandwidths, and various types of interference can be reduced, such as channel interference, adjacent channel interference, intermodulation interference and the like.

Optionally, the frequency bands of the frequency domain resources used for carrying the reference signal in the at least two reference signal time periods are the same or different, and may be predefined by a network device configuration or a protocol. For example, the network device configures the whole frequency band of the frequency domain resources for carrying the reference signal in the reference signal time segment (i.e. the whole frequency band occupied by the frequency domain resources for carrying the reference signal in the above-mentioned at least two reference signal time segments), if the frequency bands of the frequency domain resources for carrying the reference signals on the at least two reference signal time periods employ frequency hopping, the network device further sends a frequency hopping index to the terminal device, the protocol may predefine several different frequency hopping patterns (patterns), each frequency hopping pattern is used to indicate a frequency domain resource location (or frequency band) distribution diagram, each frequency hopping pattern corresponds to an index value (i.e., frequency hopping index), and the network device sends the index value to the terminal device to indicate the frequency hopping pattern used by the frequency domain resource for carrying the reference signal in the at least two reference signal time periods. And if the network equipment does not send the frequency hopping index to the terminal equipment, the frequency bands of the frequency domain resources used for bearing the reference signals in the at least two reference signal time periods are the same by default. When configuring the frequency band, the network device may configure any two or three of a start position of the frequency band (e.g., a position of a start RB), an end position of the frequency band (e.g., a position of an end RB), and a bandwidth of the frequency band (e.g., several RBs).

In one possible design, the positions of the time-frequency resources for carrying the reference signals are the same in at least two of the M time units. Under the condition, the process of configuring the frequency hopping index by the network equipment can be reduced, and the configuration overhead is saved.

In one possible design, the locations of the time domain resources for carrying the reference signals are the same and the locations of the frequency domain resources are different in at least two of the M time units. The location of the frequency domain resource may also be referred to as a frequency band, and the location of the frequency domain resource may be determined by any two or three of a starting location of the frequency band (e.g., a starting RB location), an ending location of the frequency band (e.g., an ending RB location), and a bandwidth of the frequency band (e.g., several RBs).

In one possible design, the locations of the frequency domain resources used to carry the reference signals employ frequency hopping (or interleaving) over at least two of the M time units. The frequency hopping method can avoid the situation that the whole bandwidth is occupied in each time unit for transmitting the reference signal, namely, only part of the bandwidth is occupied on each time unit for transmitting the reference signal, so that the transmission cost can be saved, different bandwidths can be covered, the interference can be dispersed to different bandwidths, and various types of interference, such as channel interference, adjacent channel interference, intermodulation interference and the like, can be reduced.

In one possible design, the locations of the time domain resources for carrying the reference signals are different and the locations of the frequency domain resources are the same in at least two of the M time units.

In one possible design, the locations of the time domain resources and the frequency domain resources for carrying the reference signal are different in at least two of the M time units.

Optionally, the time-frequency resource locations for carrying the reference signal in at least two time units in the aforementioned reference signal time period may be the same or different and may be predefined by a network device configuration or a protocol. For example, the network device configures an entire frequency band occupied by frequency domains for carrying reference signals on time units in a reference signal time period, if the positions of frequency domain resources for carrying reference signals on at least two time units in the reference signal time period employ frequency hopping, the network device also sends a frequency hopping index to the terminal device, the protocol may predefine several different frequency hopping patterns (patterns), each frequency hopping pattern is used to indicate a frequency domain resource position (or frequency band) distribution diagram, each frequency hopping pattern corresponds to an index value (i.e., frequency hopping index), and the network device sends the index value to the terminal device to indicate the frequency hopping pattern used by the positions of the frequency domain resources for carrying reference signals on the at least two time units. And if the network equipment does not send the frequency hopping index to the terminal equipment, the positions of the frequency domain resources bearing the reference signals on the at least two time units are the same by default.

In one possible design, the subcarriers used to carry the reference signal in one of the M time units may comprise one or more subcarriers.

In one possible design, one or more Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols for carrying reference signals over one of the M time units are included.

In one possible design, if at least two OFDM symbols for carrying reference signals in one time unit are included, subcarriers carrying reference signals on the at least two OFDM symbols are different.

In one possible design, if at least two OFDM symbols for carrying the reference signal in one time unit are included, frequency hopping is used for subcarriers carrying the reference signal on the at least two OFDM symbols. The frequency hopping mode can avoid that the whole bandwidth is occupied in each OFDM symbol to transmit the reference signal, namely, each OFDM symbol only needs to occupy part of the bandwidth to transmit the reference signal, thereby saving the transmission cost and covering different bandwidths, dispersing the interference to different bandwidths and reducing various types of interference, such as channel interference, adjacent channel interference, intermodulation interference and the like.

In one possible design, if at least two OFDM symbols for carrying reference signals in one time unit are included, the subcarriers carrying reference signals on the at least two OFDM symbols are the same.

Optionally, the subcarriers of at least two OFDM symbols in a single time unit, which each carry a reference signal, may be the same or different and may be predefined by a network device configuration or protocol. For example, the network device configures an entire frequency band occupied by a single time unit, and if frequency hopping is adopted for subcarriers carrying reference signals on at least two OFDM symbols in the time unit, the network device may further send a frequency hopping index to the terminal device, the protocol may predefine several different frequency hopping patterns (patterns), each frequency hopping pattern is used to indicate a frequency domain resource location (or frequency band) distribution diagram, each frequency hopping pattern corresponds to an index value (i.e., a frequency hopping index), and the network device sends the index value to the terminal device to indicate the frequency hopping pattern used by the subcarriers carrying reference signals on the at least two OFDM symbols. And if the network equipment does not send the frequency hopping index to the terminal equipment, the subcarriers bearing the reference signals on the at least two OFDM symbols are the same by default.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another reference signal transmission method, which is applicable to an uplink reference signal transmission process, and the method can be applied to a network device side. The method comprises the following steps: the network device receives at least two first reference signal sets at a first periodicity, the at least two first reference signal sets being carried over at least two reference signal time periods. Within each reference signal time period, the network device receives at least two second reference signal sets at a second periodicity, each second reference signal set comprising at least one reference signal, the first reference signal set comprising at least two second reference signal sets. By implementing the embodiment of the application, the network equipment receives the first reference signal set from the terminal equipment at intervals of the first period, the first reference signal set is sent in one reference signal time period, and the network equipment receives the second reference signal set from the terminal equipment at intervals of the second period in the one reference signal time period, so that the waste of computing resources caused by continuous receiving of the reference signals by the network equipment can be avoided, and the reference signals can be timely obtained when the channel state changes, so that the network equipment can timely obtain the downlink channel state, precoding is performed by adopting the changed channel state information, the channel aging problem is improved, and the UE throughput rate is improved.

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the network equipment sends indication information used for indicating the value of the N. Alternatively, the indication information may directly indicate the value of N. The indication information may also indirectly indicate the value of N, e.g. the indication information may indicate a length of time that the N consecutive time units last. Indicating the value of N directly may save on the indication overhead compared to indicating the value of N indirectly.

In one possible design, the network device sends indication information indicating the value of N, including: and the network equipment transmits the indication information for indicating the value of the N through RRC signaling, MACCE signaling or DCI.

In one possible design, the method further includes: the network device sends indication information for indicating the value of M. In this case, the value of M can be configured to the terminal device by the network device, and the configuration is more flexible. Furthermore, the value of M may also be predefined by the protocol.

In one possible design, the network device sends indication information indicating the value of M, including: and the network equipment transmits the indication information for indicating the value of the M through RRC signaling, MACCE signaling or DCI.

In one possible design, the method further includes: the network equipment sends indication information for indicating the first period. In this case, the first period may be configured to the terminal device by the network device, and the configuration is more flexible. The first period may also be predefined by the protocol.

In one possible design, the network device sends indication information indicating the first period, including: and the network equipment transmits the indication information for indicating the first period through RRC signaling, MACCE signaling or DCI.

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the network equipment sends indication information for indicating the second period. In this case, the second period may be configured to the terminal device by the network device, and the configuration is more flexible. The second period may also be predefined by the protocol.

In one possible design, the network device sends indication information indicating the second periodicity, including: and the network equipment transmits the indication information for indicating the second period through RRC signaling, MAC-CE signaling or DCI.

In one possible design, the method further includes: the network equipment transmits indication information for indicating the time-frequency resource positions of the reference signals in M time units in each reference signal time period.

In one possible design, the positions of the time-frequency resources used for carrying the reference signals on at least two of the M time units are the same. Under the condition, the process of configuring the frequency hopping index by the network equipment can be reduced, and the transmission overhead is saved.

In one possible design, the time domain resources used for carrying the reference signal in at least two of the M time units are located in the same position and the frequency domain resources are located in different positions.

In one possible design, frequency domain resource locations for carrying reference signals over at least two of the M time units employ frequency hopping (or interleaving). The frequency hopping method can avoid the situation that the whole bandwidth is occupied in each time unit for transmitting the reference signal, namely, only part of the bandwidth is occupied on each time unit for transmitting the reference signal, so that the transmission cost can be saved, different bandwidths can be covered, the interference can be dispersed to different bandwidths, and various types of interference, such as channel interference, adjacent channel interference, intermodulation interference and the like, can be reduced.

In one possible design, the time domain resources used for carrying the reference signal in at least two of the M time units are located differently and the frequency domain resources are located identically.

In one possible design, at least two of the M time units have different time domain resource locations and frequency domain resource locations for carrying reference signals.

In one possible design, the OFDM symbol used to carry the reference signal over one of the M time units includes one or more.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another reference signal transmission method, which is applicable to a downlink reference signal transmission process, and the method may be applied to a network device side, where the method includes: the network device determines a first period and a second period for transmitting a reference signal. The network device transmits at least two first reference signal sets at a first periodicity, the at least two first reference signal sets being carried over at least two reference signal time periods. Within each reference signal time period, the network device transmits at least two second sets of reference signals at a second periodicity, each second set of reference signals comprising at least one reference signal, the first set of reference signals comprising at least two second sets of reference signals. By implementing the embodiment of the application, the network device sends the first reference signal set to the terminal device at every interval of the first period, the first reference signal set is sent in one reference signal time period, and the network device sends the second reference signal set to the terminal device at every interval of the second period in the reference signal time period, so that the waste of transmission resources caused by the fact that the network device continuously sends the reference signals can be avoided, and the reference signals can be sent in time when the channel state changes, so that the terminal device can obtain the uplink channel state in time.

In one possible design, the method further includes: the network device transmits indication information indicating the first period and/or indication information indicating the second period.

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the network equipment sends indication information used for indicating the value of the N. Alternatively, the indication information may directly indicate the value of N. The indication information may also indirectly indicate the value of N, e.g. the indication information may indicate a length of time that the N consecutive time units last. Indicating the value of N directly may save on the indication overhead compared to indicating the value of N indirectly. Optionally, the value of N may be configured to the terminal device by the network device, so that the configuration is more flexible. The value of N may also be predefined by the protocol.

For the related descriptions that the frequency bands of the frequency domain resources for carrying the reference signal in the at least two reference signal time periods are the same or different, the positions of the frequency domain resources for carrying the reference signal in the at least two time units are the same or different, and the subcarriers for carrying the reference signal in the at least two OFDM symbols in one time unit are the same or different, reference may be made to the related description of the first aspect, which is not repeated herein.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another reference signal transmission method, which is applicable to a downlink reference signal transmission process, and the method may be applied to a terminal device side, where the method includes: the terminal device receives at least two first reference signal sets with a first periodicity, the at least two first reference signal sets being carried over at least two reference signal time periods. In each reference signal time period, the terminal device receives at least two second reference signal sets at a second periodicity, each second reference signal set comprises at least one reference signal, and the first reference signal set comprises at least two second reference signal sets. By implementing the embodiment of the application, the terminal device receives the first reference signal set sent by the network device at intervals of the first period, the first reference signal set is sent in a reference signal time period, and the terminal device receives the second reference signal set sent by the network device at intervals of the second period in the reference signal time period, so that the terminal device can avoid the waste of transmission resources caused by the fact that the terminal device continuously receives the reference signals, and can also send the reference signals in time when the channel state changes, and the terminal device can conveniently obtain the uplink channel state in time.

In one possible design, the method further includes: the terminal device receives indication information indicating the first period and/or the second period.

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the terminal equipment receives indication information used for indicating the value of the N. In this case, the value of N may be configured to the terminal device by the network device, and the configuration is more flexible. The value of N may also be predefined by the protocol.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another reference signal transmission method, which is applicable to an uplink reference signal transmission process, and the method is applied to a terminal device side, and the method includes: the terminal device determines a second period for transmitting the reference signal. And the terminal equipment transmits at least two second reference signal sets in the second period in the reference signal time period, wherein each second reference signal set comprises at least one reference signal. By implementing the embodiment of the application, the terminal equipment periodically sends the reference signal set to the network equipment in a reference signal time period, so that not only can the waste of transmission resources caused by the fact that the terminal equipment continuously sends the reference signal be avoided, but also the reference signal can be timely sent when the channel state changes, so that the network equipment can timely acquire the downlink channel state, and therefore the changed channel state information is adopted for precoding, the channel aging problem is improved, and the UE throughput rate is improved.

In one possible design, the length of the reference signal period is a duration of N consecutive time units, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

In a possible design, the reference signal time period includes M time units for carrying the reference signal, where the M time units are M consecutive time units or M non-consecutive time units, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the terminal equipment receives indication information for indicating the second period. In this case, the second period may be configured to the terminal device by the network device, and the configuration is more flexible. Further, the second period may also be predefined by the protocol.

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the terminal equipment receives indication information used for indicating the time-frequency resource position of the reference signal in the M time units.

For the correlation description that the frequency domain resources for carrying the reference signal in at least two time units are the same or different in location, and the subcarriers for carrying the reference signal in at least two OFDM symbols in one time unit are the same or different, reference may be made to the correlation description of the first aspect, which is not described herein again.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another reference signal transmission method, which is applicable to an uplink reference signal transmission process, and the method is applied to a network device side, and includes: the network device receives at least two second reference signal sets at a second periodicity within a reference signal time period, wherein each second reference signal set comprises at least one reference signal. By implementing the embodiment of the application, the network equipment periodically receives the reference signal set sent by the terminal equipment in a reference signal time period, so that the terminal equipment can be prevented from continuously sending the reference signal to cause the waste of transmission resources, and can also send the reference signal in time when the channel state changes, so that the network equipment can acquire the downlink channel state in time, and therefore the changed channel state information is adopted for precoding, the channel aging problem is improved, and the UE throughput rate is improved.

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the network equipment sends indication information used for indicating the value of the N. In this case, the value of N may be configured to the terminal device by the network device, and the configuration is more flexible. The value of N may also be predefined by the protocol.

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the network equipment sends indication information for indicating the second period. In this case, the second period may be configured to the terminal device by the network device, and the configuration is more flexible. Further, the second period may also be predefined by the protocol.

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the network equipment sends indication information for indicating the time-frequency resource position of the reference signal in the M time units.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another reference signal transmission method, which is applicable to a downlink reference signal transmission process, and the method is applied to a network device side, and the method includes: the network device determines a second periodicity at which to transmit the reference signal. The network device transmits at least two second reference signal sets at the second periodicity within the reference signal time period, wherein the second reference signal sets comprise at least one reference signal. By implementing the embodiment of the application, the network device periodically sends the reference signal set to the terminal device within a reference signal time period, so that not only can the waste of transmission resources caused by the fact that the network device continuously sends the reference signal be avoided, but also the reference signal can be timely sent when the channel state changes, and the terminal device can timely acquire the uplink channel state.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another reference signal transmission method, which is applicable to a downlink reference signal transmission process, and the method is applied to a terminal device side, and the method includes: the terminal device receives at least two second reference signal sets with a second periodicity in the reference signal time period, wherein the second reference signal sets comprise at least one reference signal. By implementing the embodiment of the application, the terminal device periodically receives the reference signal set sent by the network device within a reference signal time period, so that the waste of transmission resources caused by the continuous sending of the reference signal by the network device can be avoided, and the terminal device can timely acquire the reference signal when the channel state changes, so that the terminal device can timely acquire the uplink channel state.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which may be a terminal device, or an apparatus (e.g., a chip or a circuit) in the terminal device, or an apparatus capable of being used in cooperation with the terminal device. In one design, the communication apparatus may include a module corresponding to one or more of the methods/operations/steps/actions described in the first aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, or the eighth aspect, where the module may be a hardware circuit, a software circuit, or a combination of a hardware circuit and a software circuit. In one design, the communication device may include a processing unit and a transmitting unit. In an exemplary manner, the first and second electrodes are,

a processing unit for determining a first period and a second period for transmitting a reference signal;

a transmitting unit, configured to transmit at least two first reference signal sets with the first period; the at least two first sets of reference signals are carried over at least two reference signal time periods;

in each of the at least two reference signal periods, the transmitting unit is configured to transmit at least two second reference signal sets at the second periodicity, each second reference signal set includes at least one reference signal, and the first reference signal set includes at least two second reference signal sets.

Alternatively, the sending unit may be implemented by a transmitter, and the transmitter may be a transmitting circuit or the like. The processing unit may be implemented by a processor. Optionally, the communication device may further include a receiving unit, where the receiving unit may be implemented by a receiver, and the receiver may be a receiving circuit or a receiving circuit. The communication device may further comprise a storage unit, which may be implemented by a memory, for storing computer programs or data.

In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which may be a network device, an apparatus (e.g., a chip or a circuit) in the network device, or an apparatus capable of being used with the network device. In one design, the communication apparatus may include a module corresponding to one for performing the method/operation/step/action described in the second, third, sixth or seventh aspect, where the module may be a hardware circuit, a software circuit, or a combination of a hardware circuit and a software circuit. In one design, the communication device may include a receiving unit. In an exemplary manner, the first and second electrodes are,

a receiving unit, configured to receive at least two first reference signal sets with a first period; the at least two first sets of reference signals are carried over at least two reference signal time periods;

in each of the at least two reference signal periods, the receiving unit is configured to receive at least two second reference signal sets at a second periodicity, each second reference signal set including at least one reference signal, and the first reference signal set including at least two second reference signal sets.

Optionally, the receiving unit may be implemented by a receiver, and the receiver may be a receiving circuit or a receiving circuit, and optionally, the communication device may further include a sending unit, and the sending unit may be implemented by a transmitter, and the transmitter may be a transmitting circuit, and the like. Optionally, the communication device may further include a processing unit, which may be implemented by a processor. Optionally, the communication device may further include a storage unit, which may be implemented by a memory, for storing the computer program or data.

In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another communication apparatus, configured to perform the reference signal transmission method described in the first aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, or the eighth aspect. The communication device may include: a memory, and a processor, transmitter, receiver coupled with the memory. Illustratively, the transmitter is configured to support the communication device to perform the step of sending information by the terminal device in the reference signal transmission method provided in any of the above aspects. The receiver is configured to support the communication device to perform the step of receiving information by the terminal device in the reference signal transmission method provided in any of the above aspects. The processor is configured to support the communication device to perform other processing steps of the terminal device except for sending and receiving information in the reference signal transmission method provided by any one of the above aspects. It should be noted that the transmitter and the receiver in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated together, or may be coupled through a coupler. The memory is configured to store program instructions of the reference signal transmission method described in any of the above aspects, and the processor is configured to execute the program instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the reference signal transmission method provided in any of the above aspects. The memory and the processor may be integrated together or may be coupled by a coupler.

In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another communication apparatus, configured to perform the reference signal transmission method described in the second aspect, the third aspect, the sixth aspect, or the seventh aspect. The communication device may include: a memory, and a processor, transmitter, receiver coupled with the memory. Illustratively, the transmitter is configured to support the communication device to perform the step of sending information by the network equipment in the reference signal transmission method provided in any of the above aspects. The receiver is configured to enable the communication device to perform the step of receiving information by the network device in the reference signal transmission method provided in any of the above aspects. The processor is configured to support the communication device to perform other processing steps of the reference signal transmission method provided by any one of the above aspects, except that the network device sends and receives information. It should be noted that the transmitter and the receiver in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated together, or may be coupled through a coupler. The memory is used for storing program instructions of the reference signal transmission method described in any one of the above aspects, and the processor is used for executing the program instructions stored in the memory, namely, executing the reference signal transmission method provided by any one of the above aspects. The memory and the processor may be integrated together or may be coupled by a coupler.

In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes a terminal device and a network device. Illustratively, the terminal device may be a communication apparatus as described in the aforementioned ninth aspect or eleventh aspect, and the network device may be a communication apparatus as described in the aforementioned tenth aspect or twelfth aspect.

In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the reference signal transmission method described in any one of the above aspects.

In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the reference signal transmission method described in any of the above aspects.

In a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication chip, where the communication chip may include: a processor, and one or more interfaces coupled to the processor. Illustratively, the processor may be configured to call a program implementing the reference signal transmission method provided in any of the above aspects from a memory, and execute instructions included in the program. The interface may be used to output a processing result of the processor.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or the background art of the present application, the drawings required to be used in the embodiments or the background art of the present application will be described below.

Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a reference signal transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3A is a schematic resource mapping diagram of a reference signal according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3B is a schematic resource mapping diagram of another reference signal provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3C is a schematic resource mapping diagram of another reference signal provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3D is a schematic resource mapping diagram of another reference signal provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3E is a schematic resource mapping diagram of another reference signal provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3F is a schematic resource mapping diagram of another reference signal provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3G is a schematic resource mapping diagram of another reference signal provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3H is a schematic resource mapping diagram of another reference signal provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3I is a schematic resource mapping diagram of another reference signal provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3J is a schematic resource mapping diagram of another reference signal provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3K is a schematic resource mapping diagram of another reference signal provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart of another reference signal transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic flowchart of another reference signal transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic resource mapping diagram of another reference signal provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic flowchart of another reference signal transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic logical structure diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 is a schematic hardware structure diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a schematic logical structure diagram of another communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a schematic hardware structure diagram of another communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication chip according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The terminology selected in the description of the embodiments section of the present application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the present application only.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. The wireless communication system 100 includes communication devices, and the communication devices can perform wireless communication using air interface resources. The communication device may include a network device 101 and a terminal device 102, where the network device 101 may also be referred to as a network side device. The air interface resource may include at least one of a time domain resource, a frequency domain resource, a code domain resource, and a spatial resource.

Network device 101 may communicate wirelessly with terminal device 102 through one or more antennas. Each network device 101 may provide communication coverage for a respective coverage area 104. The coverage area 104 corresponding to the network device 101 may be divided into a plurality of cells or a plurality of sectors (sectors), wherein one cell or one sector corresponds to a part of the coverage area (not shown). Network device 101 may communicate with terminal device 102 over wireless air interface 105. Network device 101 and network device 101 may also communicate with each other directly or indirectly through interface 107 (e.g., an X2/Xn interface). The number of network devices 101 and terminal devices 102 in fig. 1 is only for example, and does not limit the application scope of the embodiments of the present application.

The terminal device 102 related to the embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as a terminal, and may be a device with a wireless transceiving function, which may be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water surface (such as a ship and the like); and may also be deployed in the air (e.g., airplanes, balloons, satellites, etc.). The terminal device may be a User Equipment (UE), wherein the UE includes a handheld device, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, or a computing device having wireless communication functionality. Illustratively, the UE may be a Machine Type Communication (MTC) terminal, a mobile phone (mobile phone), a tablet computer, or a computer with wireless transceiving function. The terminal device may also be a Virtual Reality (VR) terminal device, an Augmented Reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in smart city (smart city), a wireless terminal in smart home (smart home), and so on. In the embodiment of the present application, the apparatus for implementing the function of the terminal may be a terminal; it may also be a device, such as a chip system, which can support the terminal to realize the function, and the device can be installed in the terminal or used in cooperation with the terminal. In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices. In the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, taking a device for implementing a function of a terminal as a terminal or a UE as an example, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is described.

The network device related to the embodiment of the present application includes a Base Station (BS), which may be a device deployed in a radio access network and capable of performing wireless communication with a terminal. The base station may have various forms, such as a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay station, an access point, and the like. For example, the base station related to the embodiment of the present application may be a base station in 5G or a base station in LTE, where the base station in 5G may also be referred to as a Transmission Reception Point (TRP) or a next-generation Node (gNB). In the embodiment of the present application, the apparatus for implementing the function of the network device may be a network device; it may also be a device, such as a chip system, capable of supporting the network device to implement the function, and the device may be installed in the network device or used in cooperation with the network device. In the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, taking a device for implementing a function of a network device as a network device or a base station as an example, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is described.

In some deployments, the network devices may include Centralized Units (CUs), Distributed Units (DUs), and so on. The network device may also include a Radio Unit (RU). The CU implements part of functions of the network device, and the DU implements part of functions of the network device, for example, the CU implements functions of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, and the DU implements functions of a Radio Link Control (RLC), a Media Access Control (MAC), and a Physical (PHY) layer. Since the information of the RRC layer eventually becomes or is converted from the information of the physical layer, the higher layer signaling, such as RRC layer signaling or PHCP layer signaling, can also be considered as being transmitted by the DU or the DU + RU under this architecture. It is to be understood that the base station may be a CU node, or a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU may be divided into network devices in an access network RAN, or may be divided into network devices in a Core Network (CN), which is not limited herein.

In the present application, the wireless communication system 100 is not limited to a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, and may be a future-evolution 5G system, an NR system, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, and the like. The wireless communication system 100 may also be an internet of things (IoT) system, an MTC system, a mass Machine Type Communication (MTC) system, an enhanced MTC system, or the like.

The technical scheme of the application can also be applied to a vehicle networking (V2X) technology (X stands for anything), and the communication modes in the V2X system are collectively referred to as V2X communication. The V2X communication is a basic technology and a key technology applied in a scene with a very high requirement on communication delay in the future, such as intelligent automobiles, automatic driving, intelligent transportation systems, and the like, for high-speed devices represented by vehicles. For example, the V2X communication includes: communication between a vehicle and a vehicle (V2V), communication between a vehicle and a roadside infrastructure (V2I), communication between a vehicle and a pedestrian (V2P), or communication between a vehicle and a network (V2N), and the like. Communication performed between terminal apparatuses involved in the V2X system is widely referred to as Sidelink (SL) communication. That is, the terminal described herein may also be a vehicle or a vehicle component applied in a vehicle.

The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the application can be applied to wireless communication among communication devices. The wireless communication between the communication devices may include: wireless communication between a network device and a terminal, wireless communication between a network device and a network device, and wireless communication between a terminal and a terminal. In the embodiments of the present application, the term "wireless communication" may also be simply referred to as "communication", and the term "communication" may also be described as "data transmission", "information transmission", or "transmission". The technical solution can be used for performing wireless communication between the scheduling entity and the subordinate entity, and those skilled in the art can use the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application for performing wireless communication between other scheduling entities and subordinate entities, for example, wireless communication between a macro base station and a micro base station, for example, wireless communication between a first terminal and a second terminal.

In the embodiment of the present application, in order to avoid the channel aging problem, the network device needs to track the time-varying channel and perform channel measurement. For example, the terminal device 102 may send a reference signal to the network device 101, and the network device 101 performs uplink channel quality measurement based on the reference signal, estimates downlink channel quality according to channel mutual benefit of the TDD system, and performs precoding on downlink data according to CSI of a downlink channel. Wherein, the reference signal includes but is not limited to: a channel Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) or (DT-RS). In addition, besides the situation that the network device needs to track the channel change mentioned in the background art, there is also a situation that other network devices need to track the channel change, for example, the terminal device may control the radio frequency device to enter a sleep state when not sending the SRS for the purpose of power saving, and then control the radio frequency device to enter an operating state until the terminal device sends the SRS, which may cause the phase rotation of the channel obtained by the network device measuring the SRS. This is also the case for channel variations that need to be tracked, which would otherwise limit the use of filtering in channel estimation (e.g. joint filtering for SRS, also e.g. channel prediction), etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the performing of the channel measurement includes measuring doppler information and the like.

In the embodiments of the present application, the reference signal may also be referred to as a pilot, a sequence, and the like.

It should be noted that the terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application may be interchangeably selected. Signals may also be described as sequences, data, and the like. At least one can also be described as one or more, and a plurality can be two, three, four or more, without limitation. In view of this, a plurality may also be understood as "at least two" in the embodiments of the present application. The "at least two" may be two, three, four or more, and the present application is not limited thereto. "and/or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, meaning that there may be three relationships, e.g., a and/or B, which may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character "/" generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship, unless otherwise specified.

In the embodiment of the present application, for a technical feature, the technical features in the technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "a", "B", "C", and "D", and the like, and the technical features described in "first", "second", "third", "a", "B", "C", and "D" are not in a sequential order or a size order.

Based on the foregoing wireless communication system 100, the present embodiment provides a method for transmitting a reference signal. Referring to fig. 2, the reference signal transmission method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

s201, the terminal equipment determines a first period and a second period for sending the reference signal.

S202, the terminal device sends at least two first reference signal sets at a first cycle, the network device receives at least two first reference signal sets at the first cycle, the at least two first reference signal sets are carried on at least two reference signal time periods, within each reference signal time period, the terminal device sends at least two second reference signal sets at a second cycle, and the network device receives at least two second reference signal sets at the second cycle, wherein each second reference signal set includes at least one reference signal, and the first reference signal set includes at least two second reference signal sets.

For example, the "bearer" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as "mapping".

For example, the reference signal time period may be referred to as a pilot segment or a pilot time period; segments may also be referred to as fragments, bursts, and so on. The length of each reference signal time segment is the length of time that N consecutive time units last. Alternatively, each reference signal time segment includes M time units for carrying reference signals, where the M time units may be M consecutive time units or M non-consecutive time units. Where N is a positive integer, such as an integer of 1, 2, 3, 4 or more, and this is not limited in this embodiment. M is a positive integer less than or equal to N. If the value of N and the second period are known, the value of M can be derived. For example, if the N consecutive time units are 5 slots and the second period is 2 slots, then M non-consecutive time units can be calculated as 3 slots.

In this embodiment, the second reference signal set is used to characterize all reference signals carried on one time unit, and the second reference signal set includes at least one reference signal. The first reference signal set is used for representing all reference signals carried in one reference signal time period, and the first reference signal set comprises at least two second reference signal sets. The set of reference signals may also be referred to as a set of reference signals. The terminal device transmits the first reference signal set at the first period, which may also be understood as that the terminal device transmits the reference signal set at M consecutive or non-consecutive time units every interval of the first period. The number of reference signals carried on each time unit is not limited, and may be one or more. The number of reference signals carried on the two time units may be the same or different. The number of reference signals carried in the two reference signal time periods may be the same or different.

Alternatively, the granularity of the reference signal period may be an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, a slot (slot), a subframe (subframe), a frame (frame), or the like. The granularity of the time unit may also be an OFDM symbol, slot, subframe, or frame, etc. The granularity of the reference signal time period may be the same as or different from the granularity of the time unit. For example, the granularity of the reference signal time period and the time unit are slots.

Optionally, the granularity of the first period and the second period may be OFDM symbols, slots, subframes, or frames, and the time length of the first period is greater than the time length of the second period. The granularity of the first period and the second period may be the same or different. For example, referring to fig. 3A, the resource mapping diagram of a reference signal is shown, as shown in fig. 3A, a first period is 100 slots, a second period is 2 slots, each reference signal time period has a duration of 5 slots (i.e., N ═ 5), each reference signal time period includes 3 non-consecutive slots (i.e., M ═ 3), and the 3 non-consecutive slots (e.g., slots 0, slot2, and slot4) are used for carrying a reference signal. The terminal equipment sends reference signals on 3 slots in a reference signal time period every 100 slots, taking slot0 as an example, the slots carrying the reference signals are slot0, slot2, slot4, slot100, slot102, slot104, slot200, slot202, slot204, and the like, respectively, and the reference signal carried on each slot may be one or multiple.

Fig. 3A is an example of each reference signal period including M (3) non-consecutive slots, and in other alternative implementations, each reference signal period may also include M consecutive time units, for example, referring to fig. 3B, the second period is 1 slot, and each reference signal period includes 7 consecutive slots (i.e., M ═ 7), where the 7 consecutive slots (e.g., slot0, slot1, slot2, slot3, slot4, slot5, and slot6) are used to carry reference signals.

The granularity of the reference signal time period may be predefined in a protocol, or may be configured to the terminal device by the network device through signaling. The granularity of the time unit can be predefined in a protocol, and can also be configured to the terminal device by the network device through signaling.

For example, the value of N (or the duration of the N consecutive time units) or the value of M may be predefined in a protocol, or may be configured to the terminal device by the network device through signaling. Illustratively, the signaling sent by the network device to the terminal may be one or more of a combination of system message, broadcast message, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) signaling, and Downlink Control Information (DCI). The terminal device may receive indication information indicating the value of N or the value of M through one or more of a system message, a broadcast message, RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI. The indication information may directly indicate the value of N or M, or may indirectly indicate the value of N or M. For example, referring to fig. 3A, the value of M configured by the network device is equal to 3, and the second period is 2 slots, and assuming that the granularity of the time unit is a slot, the terminal device may determine that the total time domain length in which the 3 discontinuous slots last is 5 slots, or the number N of time units included in the reference signal time period configured by the network device is equal to 5, and the second period is 2 slots, the terminal device may determine that the slot used for carrying the reference signal in the 5 continuous slots is 3 discontinuous slots. In the embodiment of the present application, the reference signal time period may be understood as a time period from a first time unit carrying the reference signal to a last time unit carrying the reference signal in the first period.

Illustratively, the first period may be predefined in a protocol, or may be configured to the terminal device by the network device through signaling. For example, the network device may transmit the indication information indicating the first period to the terminal device through one or more of a system message, a broadcast message, RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI. The terminal device may receive the indication information indicating the first periodicity through one or more of a system message, a broadcast message, RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI. The indication information may indicate a value of the first period, or may indirectly indicate the value of the first period. Similarly, the second period may be predefined in the protocol, or may be configured to the terminal device by the network device through signaling. For example, the network device may transmit the indication information indicating the second periodicity to the terminal device through one or more of a system message, a broadcast message, RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI. The terminal device may receive the indication information indicating the second periodicity through one or more of a system message, a broadcast message, RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI. The indication information may indicate a value of the second period, or may indirectly indicate the value of the second period. In one possible implementation, after the terminal device determines the first period and the second period, the first reference signal set is always transmitted according to the first period, which may be regarded as a periodic reference signal. In another possible implementation, after the terminal device determines the first period and the second period, the terminal device sends the first reference signal set according to the first period after receiving an activation signaling sent by the network device, and stops sending the first reference signal set after receiving a deactivation signaling sent by the network device, which may be regarded as a semi-static (or semi-persistent) reference signal.

The time-frequency resource position for bearing the reference signal in each time unit can be predefined by a protocol, and can also be configured to the terminal device by the network device through signaling.

In the embodiment of the application, compared with a protocol predefined mode, a network device configuration mode can realize more flexible configuration.

In this embodiment of the application, the frequency bands of the frequency domain resources used for carrying the reference signal in the at least two reference signal time periods are the same or different, and are respectively described below.

In one implementation manner, the frequency bands of the frequency domain resources used for carrying the reference signals in the at least two reference signal time periods are the same. It can also be understood that the frequency domain resources occupied by the reference signals carried in the at least two reference signal time periods are the same in position and bandwidth. For example, referring to fig. 3A, the frequency band where the frequency domain resource for carrying the reference signal is located on each reference signal time segment is the same.

In another implementation manner, the frequency bands of the frequency domain resources used for carrying the reference signals in the at least two reference signal time periods are different. It can also be understood that the frequency domain resource locations occupied by the reference signals carried in the at least two reference signal time periods are different. The frequency domain resource positions may be irregular or regular, and the regular difference includes frequency hopping (frequency hopping). For example, the frequency band where the frequency domain resource for carrying the reference signal is located on the at least two reference signal time periods is subjected to frequency hopping according to a certain pattern. The frequency bands of the multiple reference signal time segments may cover a continuous bandwidth or a discontinuous bandwidth within a hopping period. For example, referring to fig. 3C, the at least two reference signal time periods are hopped according to a certain hopping pattern. The frequency hopping pattern is used for representing frequency domain resources occupied by the reference signals. In a frequency hopping period, the frequency band where the frequency domain resource for carrying the reference signal in the reference signal time period is located hops 2 times and occupies 3 frequency bands, and the frequency band where the first reference signal time period (including three time units of slot0, slot2, and slot4), the second reference signal time period (including three time units of slot100, slot102, and slot 104), and the third reference signal time period (including three time units of slot200, slot202, and slot 204) are located covers a continuous bandwidth.

Referring to fig. 3D, the at least two reference signal time periods are frequency hopped according to a certain pattern. The reference signal time period is hopped 2 times in a frequency hopping period, and 3 frequency bands are occupied, so that the frequency bands where the first reference signal time period (including three time units of slot0, slot2 and slot4), the second reference signal time period (including three time units of slot100, slot102 and slot 104) and the third reference signal time period (including three time units of slot200, slot202 and slot 204) are located cover a discontinuous bandwidth. In the embodiment of the present application, the frequency hopping period may be understood as a period in which the frequency band of the reference signal time period traverses the entire bandwidth once, for example, in fig. 3C, the frequency bands of the three reference signal time periods cover a continuous bandwidth, and the period in which the frequency bands of the three reference signal time periods traverse the entire bandwidth once is 300 slots, or in fig. 3D, the frequency bands of the three reference signal time periods cover a discontinuous bandwidth, and the period in which the frequency bands of the three reference signal time periods traverse the entire bandwidth once is 300 slots.

Optionally, the frequency bands in which the frequency domain resources for carrying the reference signal in the at least two reference signal time periods are located may be the same or different and may be predefined by a network device configuration or a protocol. For example, the network device configures the entire frequency band where the frequency domain resources for carrying the reference signal are located on the reference signal time segment (i.e. the entire frequency band occupied by the frequency domain resources for carrying the reference signal on the above-mentioned at least two reference signal time segments), if the frequency band where the frequency domain resources for carrying the reference signals are located on the at least two reference signal time segments employs frequency hopping, the network device may further send a frequency hopping index to the terminal device, the protocol may predefine several different frequency hopping patterns (patterns), each frequency hopping pattern is used to indicate a frequency domain resource location (or frequency band) distribution map occupied by one type of reference signal, each frequency hopping pattern corresponds to one index value (i.e., frequency hopping index), and the network device sends, to the terminal device, an index value indicating the frequency hopping pattern used by the frequency domain resources for carrying the reference signal over the at least two reference signal time periods. And if the network equipment does not send the frequency hopping index to the terminal equipment, the frequency bands of the frequency domain resources used for bearing the reference signals in the at least two reference signal time periods are the same. When configuring the frequency band, the network device may configure any two or three of a start position of the frequency band (e.g., a position of a start RB), an end position of the frequency band (e.g., a position of an end RB), and a bandwidth of the frequency band (e.g., several RBs).

In the embodiment of the present application, the positions of the time-frequency resources used for carrying the reference signal in the M time units in one reference signal time period may be the same or different, which is described below separately.

In an implementation manner, the positions of the time-frequency resources used for carrying the reference signal in at least two of the M time units are the same. It can also be understood that the time-frequency resource patterns used for carrying the reference signals in at least two of the M time units are the same, and it can also be understood that the subcarriers used for carrying the reference signals in the same OFDM symbols in at least two of the M time units are the same. The time-frequency resource locations for carrying the reference signal in at least two of the M time units are the same, including: the time-frequency resource positions for carrying the reference signals on two time units in the M time units are the same, the time-frequency resource positions for carrying the reference signals on three time units in the M time units are the same, or the time-frequency resource positions for carrying the reference signals on all time units in the M time units are the same, and so on. For example, referring to fig. 3A or 3C, the locations of the time-frequency resources used for mapping the reference signals in each time unit are the same. Taking 3 time units, slot0, slot2, and slot4, in the first reference signal time period in fig. 3A as an example, time domain resources used for carrying reference signals in slot0, slot2, and slot4 are all OFDM symbols 7, and frequency domain resources are all subcarriers 3 and 9.

In another implementation manner, the frequency domain resources used for carrying the reference signal in at least two of the M time units are located differently. The different locations of the frequency domain resources used for carrying the reference signal in at least two of the M time units include: the frequency domain resource locations for carrying the reference signal in 2 of the M time units are different, the frequency domain resource locations for carrying the reference signal in 3 of the M time units are different, or the frequency domain resource locations for carrying the reference signal in the M time units are all different, and so on. The frequency domain resource positions may be different irregularly, or regularly, and the irregular differences include frequency hopping (or interleaving). For example, the frequency domain resource locations for carrying the reference signals in the M time units hop frequency according to a certain pattern. The frequency domain resource locations for carrying the reference signal in the M time units may cover a continuous bandwidth or a discontinuous bandwidth. For example, referring to fig. 3E, the frequency domain resource locations for carrying the reference signal in M (3) time units are hopped according to a certain pattern. The frequency band of the reference signal time period in a frequency hopping period hops for 2 times, occupies 3 frequency bands, and covers a discontinuous bandwidth. Taking three time units of slot0, slot2, and slot4 as examples for explanation, a time domain resource position used for carrying a reference signal in slot0 is symbol 7, frequency domain resource positions are subcarrier 3 and subcarrier 9, respectively, a time domain resource position used for carrying a reference signal in slot2 is symbol 7, frequency domain resource positions are subcarrier 1 and subcarrier 7, respectively, a time domain resource position used for carrying a reference signal in slot4 is symbol 7, and frequency domain resource positions are subcarrier 5 and subcarrier 11, respectively. In other alternative implementations, the frequency domain resource locations for carrying the reference signal in the M time units may also cover a continuous bandwidth.

In another implementation manner, the time domain resources used for carrying the reference signal in at least two of the M time units are different in location. The different time domain resource locations for carrying the reference signal in at least two of the M time units include: the time domain resource locations for carrying the reference signal in 2 of the M time units are different, the time domain resource locations for carrying the reference signal in 3 of the M time units are different, or the time domain resource locations for carrying the reference signal in the M time units are all different, and so on. For example, taking three time units of slot0, slot2, and slot4 as an example, a time domain resource position used for carrying a reference signal in slot0 is symbol 0, frequency domain resource positions are subcarrier 3 and subcarrier 9, respectively, a time domain resource position used for carrying a reference signal in slot2 is symbol 2, frequency domain resource positions are subcarrier 3 and subcarrier 9, respectively, a time domain resource position used for carrying a reference signal in slot4 is symbol 4, and frequency domain resource positions are subcarrier 3 and subcarrier 9, respectively.

In another implementation manner, the time-frequency resource locations for carrying the reference signal on at least two of the M time units are different. The different positions of the time-frequency resources for carrying the reference signals in at least two of the M time units include: the positions of the time-frequency resources for carrying the reference signals on 2 time units of the M time units are all different, the positions of the time-frequency resources for carrying the reference signals on 3 time units of the M time units are all different, or the positions of the time-frequency resources for carrying the reference signals on the M time units are all different, and the like. The time-frequency resource location for carrying the reference signal on each time unit may be predefined by a protocol, or may be configured to the terminal device by the network device through signaling. For example, the time domain resource location for carrying the reference signal in each time unit includes OFDM symbols, slots, etc., and the frequency domain resource location includes subcarriers, RBs, etc.

Optionally, the time-frequency resource locations for carrying the reference signal in the M time units in the reference signal time period may be the same or different, and may be predefined by a network device configuration or a protocol. For example, the network device configures an entire frequency band occupied by frequency domain resources for carrying reference signals on time units in a reference signal time period, if frequency domain resource positions for carrying reference signals on at least two time units in the reference signal time period employ frequency hopping, the network device also sends a frequency hopping index to the terminal device, the protocol may predefine several different frequency hopping patterns (patterns), each frequency hopping pattern is used to indicate a frequency domain resource position (or frequency band) distribution diagram, each frequency hopping pattern corresponds to an index value (i.e., frequency hopping index), and the network device sends the index value to the terminal device to indicate the frequency hopping patterns used by the frequency domain resource positions for carrying reference signals on the at least two time units. And if the network equipment does not send the frequency hopping index to the terminal equipment, the frequency domain resource positions bearing the reference signals on the at least two time units are the same by default.

It should be noted that, the above is exemplified by the time-frequency resource locations for carrying the reference signals in M time units in a single reference signal time period, and the time-frequency resource locations for carrying the reference signals in M time units in different reference signal time periods may also be the same or different, for example, referring to fig. 3A, in three reference signal time periods, the time-frequency resource locations for carrying the reference signals in 3 time units in each reference signal time period are the same.

In the embodiment of the present application, the subcarriers used for carrying the reference signal on the OFDM symbol used for carrying the reference signal in a single time unit may be the same or different, and are described below separately.

In one implementation, the subcarriers used to carry the reference signal on at least two OFDM symbols in a single time unit are the same.

The subcarriers for carrying the reference signals on the at least two OFDM symbols for carrying the reference signals are the same, including: the subcarriers carrying reference signals on two OFDM symbols carrying reference signals in a single time unit are the same, the subcarriers carrying reference signals on three OFDM symbols carrying reference signals in a single time unit are the same, or the subcarriers carrying reference signals on all OFDM symbols carrying reference signals in a single time unit are the same, etc. For example, referring to fig. 3F, the subcarriers carrying the reference signals on two OFDM symbols used for carrying the reference signals in a single time unit are the same, taking slot0 as an example, the subcarrier carrying the reference signal on OFDM symbol 4 in slot0 is subcarrier 9, and the subcarrier carrying the reference signal on OFDM symbol 7 in slot0 is also subcarrier 9.

In another implementation, the subcarriers used to carry the reference signals on at least two OFDM symbols used to carry the reference signals in a single time unit are different. The subcarriers used for carrying the reference signals on at least two OFDM symbols used for carrying the reference signals in a single time unit are different, and the method comprises the following steps: the subcarriers carrying reference signals on two OFDM symbols carrying reference signals in a single time unit are different, the subcarriers carrying reference signals on three OFDM symbols carrying reference signals in a single time unit are different, or the subcarriers carrying reference signals on all OFDM symbols carrying reference signals in a single time unit are different, and the like. For example, referring to fig. 3G, the subcarriers carrying the reference signals on two OFDM symbols used for carrying the reference signals in a single time unit are different, taking slot0 as an example, the subcarrier carrying the reference signal on OFDM symbol 4 in slot0 is subcarrier 3, and the subcarrier carrying the reference signal on OFDM symbol 7 in slot0 is subcarrier 9.

Optionally, one or more subcarriers for carrying the reference signal in a single time unit may be used, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. For example, taking fig. 3F as an example, in a time unit, subcarriers for carrying reference signals on 2 OFDM symbols for carrying reference signals are all the same. Taking fig. 3G as an example, in a time unit, the subcarriers for carrying the reference signal on the 2 OFDM symbols for carrying the reference signal are two different subcarriers. The implementation manner of one subcarrier used for carrying the reference signal in a single time unit can save transmission overhead, and only one subcarrier needs to be occupied to carry the reference signal in each reference signal time period, and the implementation manner is suitable for, but not limited to, the following scenarios of channel change to be tracked: for the purpose of power saving, the terminal device may control the radio frequency device to enter a sleep state when the terminal device does not transmit the SRS, and then control the radio frequency device to enter an operating state until the terminal device transmits the SRS, which may cause a phase rotation of a channel obtained by the network device measuring the SRS, which may require the network device to track a channel change, or may otherwise limit the use of filtering during channel estimation (e.g., joint filtering of the SRS, such as channel prediction). For this scenario, the network device needs to carry the reference signal on one or a few (e.g., 2, 3, etc.) subcarriers to meet the requirement of tracking the channel variation. For the scenario of avoiding channel aging mentioned in the background art, the terminal device may employ one or more subcarriers or one or more RBs, etc. to transmit the reference signal to the network device.

Optionally, the position of the subcarrier used for carrying the reference signal may be unique or frequency hopping, and the case that the position of the subcarrier used for carrying the reference signal is unique may be shown in fig. 3K. Optionally, the position of the subcarrier used for carrying the reference signal may be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or may be predefined in the protocol, which is not limited in this application.

Optionally, the three frequency hopping modes of frequency hopping in the reference signal time period, frequency hopping in the time unit, and frequency hopping in the sub-carrier carrying the reference signal on different OFDM symbols in a single time unit may be arbitrarily combined.

For example, while the reference signal time period is subjected to frequency hopping, the time unit in the reference signal time period may also be subjected to frequency hopping. For example, referring to fig. 3H, the reference signal time segments are hopped according to a pattern. In a frequency hopping period, the frequency band of the frequency domain resource for bearing the reference signal in the reference signal time period hops for 2 times, occupies 3 frequency bands, and covers a discontinuous bandwidth. Meanwhile, frequency hopping is performed on frequency domain resource positions of M time units which respectively bear reference signals according to a certain pattern, which is exemplified by three time units, namely slot0, slot2 and slot4, a time domain resource position used for bearing the reference signals in slot0 is symbol 7, frequency domain resource positions are respectively subcarrier 3 and subcarrier 9, a time domain resource position used for bearing the reference signals in slot2 is symbol 7, frequency domain resource positions are respectively subcarrier 1 and subcarrier 7, a time domain resource position used for bearing the reference signals in slot4 is symbol 7, and frequency domain resource positions are respectively subcarrier 5 and subcarrier 11.

For example, while the reference signal time period is subjected to frequency hopping, subcarriers carrying reference signals on different OFDM symbols in a single time unit may also be subjected to frequency hopping. For example, referring to fig. 3I, the reference signal time segments are hopped according to a pattern. In a frequency hopping cycle, the frequency band of the frequency domain resource for carrying the reference signal in the reference signal time period hops 2 times, occupies 3 frequency bands, and covers a continuous bandwidth. Meanwhile, the subcarriers carrying the reference signals on different OFDM symbols in a single time unit may also perform frequency hopping, taking slot0 as an example, the subcarrier carrying the reference signal on OFDM symbol 4 in slot0 is subcarrier 3, and the subcarrier carrying the reference signal on OFDM symbol 7 in slot0 is subcarrier 9.

For example, while the reference signal time period is subjected to frequency hopping, M time units in the reference signal time period may also be subjected to frequency hopping, and subcarriers carrying reference signals on different OFDM symbols in a single time unit may also be subjected to frequency hopping. For example, referring to fig. 3J, the reference signal time segments are hopped according to a pattern. In a frequency hopping cycle, the frequency band of the frequency domain resource for carrying the reference signal in the reference signal time period hops 2 times, occupies 3 frequency bands, and covers a continuous bandwidth. Meanwhile, frequency domain resource positions of M time units in a reference signal time period, which respectively carry reference signals, perform frequency hopping according to a certain pattern, which is exemplified by three time units, i.e., slot0, slot2, and slot4, where the time domain resource positions in slot0 for carrying reference signals are symbol 2 and symbol 7, the frequency domain resource positions are subcarrier 3 and subcarrier 9, the time domain resource positions in slot2 for carrying reference signals are symbol 2 and symbol 7, the frequency domain resource positions are subcarrier 1 and subcarrier 7, the time domain resource positions in slot4 for carrying reference signals are symbol 2 and symbol 7, and the frequency domain resource positions are subcarrier 5 and subcarrier 11, respectively. Meanwhile, the subcarriers carrying the reference signals on different OFDM symbols in a single time unit may also perform frequency hopping, taking slot0 as an example, the subcarrier carrying the reference signal on OFDM symbol 2 in slot0 is subcarrier 3, and the subcarrier carrying the reference signal on OFDM symbol 7 in slot0 is subcarrier 9.

By implementing the embodiment of the application, the terminal equipment sends the first reference signal set to the network equipment at intervals of the first period, the first reference signal set is sent in one reference signal time period, and the terminal equipment sends the second reference signal set to the network equipment at intervals of the second period in the one reference signal time period, so that the waste of transmission resources caused by the fact that the terminal equipment continuously sends the reference signals can be avoided, the reference signals can be timely sent when the channel state changes, the network equipment can conveniently and timely acquire the downlink channel state, precoding is carried out by adopting the changed channel state information, the channel aging problem is improved, and the UE throughput rate is improved.

It should be noted that the reference signals mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are uplink reference signals, including but not limited to SRS, DT-RS, and may also be other uplink reference signals.

The foregoing method embodiment shown in fig. 2 is described by taking uplink reference signal transmission as an example, and a downlink reference signal transmission process is described below with reference to fig. 4. Referring to fig. 4, the reference signal transmission method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

s401, the network equipment determines a first period and a second period for sending the reference signal.

S402, the network device sends at least two first reference signal sets at a first cycle, the terminal device receives at least two first reference signal sets at the first cycle, the at least two first reference signal sets are carried on at least two reference signal time periods, within each reference signal time period, the network device sends a second reference signal set at a second cycle, and the terminal device receives the second reference signal set at the second cycle, wherein the first reference signal set includes at least two reference signals, the second reference signal set includes at least one reference signal, and the first reference signal set includes at least two second reference signal sets.

Illustratively, the duration of each reference signal time period is a length of time that N consecutive time units last. Or, the number of time units for carrying the reference signal in each reference signal time segment is M, and the M time units may be M consecutive time units or M non-consecutive time units. Where N is a positive integer, such as an integer of 1, 2, 3, 4 or more, and this is not limited in this embodiment. M is a positive integer less than or equal to N. In the embodiment of the present application, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiment shown in fig. 2 for a description about a reference signal time period and a time unit, which is not described herein again.

For example, the value of N (or the duration of N consecutive time units) or the value of M may be predefined in a protocol, or may be configured to the terminal device by the network device through signaling. Illustratively, the signaling sent by the network device to the terminal may be a combination of one or more of a system message, a broadcast message, RRC signaling, mac ce signaling, and DCI. The terminal device may receive indication information indicating the value of N or the value of M through one or more of a system message, a broadcast message, RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI.

The first period may be predefined in a protocol or configured to the terminal device by the network device through signaling. For example, the network device may transmit the indication information indicating the first period to the terminal device through one or more of a system message, a broadcast message, RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI. The terminal device may receive the indication information indicating the first periodicity through one or more of a system message, a broadcast message, RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI. Similarly, the second period may be predefined in the protocol, or may be configured to the terminal device by the network device through signaling. For example, the network device may transmit the indication information indicating the second periodicity to the terminal device through one or more of a system message, a broadcast message, RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI. The terminal device may receive the indication information indicating the second periodicity through one or more of a system message, a broadcast message, RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI. Optionally, the first period may also be configured semi-statically, and the network device may also configure the first period and the second period to the terminal device through RRC signaling, MAC signaling, and the like, and activate/deactivate the configuration through DCI.

The time-frequency resource location for carrying the reference signal in each time unit may be predefined by a protocol, or may be configured to the terminal device by the network device through signaling.

In the embodiment of the present application, for related implementation manners that frequency bands of frequency domain resources used for carrying reference signals in different reference signal time periods are the same or different, time frequency resources carrying reference signals in different time units are the same or different, and subcarriers carrying reference signals in different OFDM symbols in a single time unit are the same or different, reference may be made to the embodiment shown in fig. 2, which is not described herein again.

It should be noted that the reference signal mentioned in the embodiment of the present application is a downlink reference signal, and includes but is not limited to a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), and may also be another downlink reference signal.

By implementing the embodiment of the application, the network device sends the first reference signal set to the terminal device at every interval of the first period, the first reference signal set is sent in a reference signal time period, and the network device sends the second reference signal set to the terminal device at every interval of the second period in the reference signal time period, so that the waste of transmission resources caused by the fact that the network device continuously sends the reference signals can be avoided, and the reference signals can be sent in time when the channel state changes, so that the terminal device can obtain the uplink channel state in time.

In addition to the above embodiments, the present application provides another reference signal transmission method, see fig. 5, where the reference signal transmission method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

s501, the terminal device determines a second period for sending the reference signal.

S502, the terminal device sends at least two second reference signal sets at the second periodicity in the reference signal time period, and the network device receives the second reference signal sets at the second periodicity in the reference signal time period, where the second reference signal sets include at least one reference signal.

Compared with the embodiment shown in fig. 2, in the embodiment of the present application, after the terminal device sends the second reference signal set according to the second cycle in one reference signal time period, the sending of the reference signal is terminated. Compared to the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the embodiment of the present application occupies fewer transmission resources. For example, refer to fig. 6, which is a schematic resource mapping diagram of a reference signal provided in the embodiment of the present application. In fig. 6, the terminal device periodically transmits the reference signal to the network device only by one reference signal period.

Illustratively, the duration of the unique reference signal time period in the embodiments of the present application is a time length of duration of N consecutive time units. Alternatively, the number of time units used for carrying the reference signal in the unique reference signal time period is M, and the M time units may be M consecutive time units or M non-consecutive time units. Where N is a positive integer, such as an integer of 1, 2, 3, 4 or more, and this is not limited in this embodiment. M is a positive integer less than or equal to N. In the embodiment of the present application, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiment shown in fig. 2 for a description about a reference signal time period and a time unit, which is not described herein again.

The second period in this embodiment may be understood as the second period in the embodiment shown in fig. 2, where the period may be predefined in a protocol, or may be configured by a network device to a terminal device through signaling. For example, the network device may transmit the indication information indicating the second periodicity to the terminal device through one or more of a system message, a broadcast message, RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI.

In the embodiment of the present application, for the related implementation manners that time-frequency resources carrying reference signals in different time units in a reference signal time period are the same or different, and subcarriers carrying reference signals on different OFDM symbols in a single time unit are the same or different, reference may be made to the embodiment shown in fig. 2, which is not described herein again.

Optionally, after the terminal device sends the reference signal set to the network device according to the second cycle, the network device may further reconfigure the second cycle, the duration of the reference signal time period, and the like, so that the terminal device continues to send the reference signal periodically in one reference signal time period subsequently, so that the network device may obtain the channel state information of the terminal device in time.

By implementing the embodiment of the application, the terminal equipment periodically sends the reference signal set to the network equipment in the reference signal time period, so that the waste of transmission resources caused by the fact that the terminal equipment continuously sends the reference signal can be avoided, and the reference signal can be timely sent when the channel state changes, so that the network equipment can timely acquire the downlink channel state, and therefore the changed channel state information is adopted for precoding, the channel aging problem is improved, and the UE throughput rate is improved.

Similarly, the foregoing method embodiment shown in fig. 5 is described by taking uplink reference signal transmission as an example, and a downlink reference signal transmission process is described below with reference to fig. 7. Referring to fig. 7, the reference signal transmission method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

s601, the network device determines a second period for sending the reference signal.

S602, the network device sends the reference signal set at the second periodicity in the reference signal time period, and the terminal device receives at least two second reference signal sets at the second periodicity in the reference signal time period, where the second reference signal set includes at least one reference signal.

Compared with the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the network device may end the sending of the reference signal after sending the reference signal according to the second cycle within one reference signal time period. Compared to the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the embodiment of the present application occupies fewer transmission resources.

Illustratively, the duration of the unique reference signal time period in the embodiments of the present application is a time length of duration of N consecutive time units. Or, the number of time units for carrying the reference signal in the unique reference signal time period is M, and the M time units may be M consecutive time units or M non-consecutive time units. Where N is a positive integer, such as an integer of 1, 2, 3, 4 or more, and this is not limited in this embodiment. M is a positive integer less than or equal to N. In the embodiment of the present application, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiment shown in fig. 2 for a description about a reference signal time period and a time unit, which is not described herein again.

The period in this embodiment of the present application may be understood as the second period in the embodiment shown in fig. 2, where the period may be predefined in a protocol, or may be configured to the terminal device by the network device through signaling. For example, the network device may transmit the indication information indicating the second periodicity to the terminal device through one or more of a system message, a broadcast message, RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI.

Optionally, after the network device sends the reference signal set to the network device according to the second cycle, the network device may further configure the cycle, the duration of the reference signal time period, and the like to the terminal device again, so that the terminal device continues to receive the reference signal periodically in one reference signal time period subsequently.

By implementing the embodiment of the application, the network device periodically sends the reference signal set to the terminal device within the reference signal time period, so that not only can the waste of transmission resources caused by the fact that the network device continuously sends the reference signal be avoided, but also the reference signal can be timely sent when the channel state changes, and the terminal device can timely acquire the uplink channel state.

The above-mentioned scheme provided by the embodiment of the present application is introduced mainly from the perspective of interaction between network elements. It is to be understood that each network element, such as the terminal device and the network device, etc., contains corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules for performing each function in order to realize the functions. Those of skill in the art would readily appreciate that the present application is capable of being implemented as hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software for performing the exemplary network elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software drives hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It is to be understood that, in the above methods, the method implemented by the terminal device may also be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) configurable in the terminal device, the method implemented by the network device may also be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) configurable in the network device.

In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device, the network device, and the like may be divided into the functional modules according to the above method examples, for example, each functional module may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in a hardware mode, and can also be realized in a software functional module mode. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the division of the module is schematic, and is only one logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

In the case of dividing each functional module by corresponding functions, fig. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a possible logical structure of the terminal device according to the foregoing embodiment, and the communication apparatus 700 includes: a processing unit 701 and a transmitting unit 702. The communication device may be the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment, and may also be a component (e.g., a chip system, a hardware circuit, etc.) configured in the terminal device. Illustratively, the sending unit 702 is configured to support the communication apparatus 700 to perform the step of sending information corresponding to the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments shown in fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5, or fig. 7. A processing unit 701, configured to support the communication apparatus 700 to perform processing steps related to corresponding terminal devices in the foregoing method embodiments shown in fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5, or fig. 7, for example, to implement other functions besides functions of the sending unit and the receiving unit, and the like. Optionally, the communication apparatus 700 may further include a receiving unit, configured to support the communication apparatus 700 to perform the step of receiving information by the corresponding terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments shown in fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5, or fig. 7. Optionally, the communication device 700 may further include a storage unit for storing codes (programs) or data. Illustratively, the processing unit 701 is configured to determine a first period and a second period for transmitting a reference signal; a transmitting unit 702, configured to transmit at least two first reference signal sets with the first periodicity; the at least two first sets of reference signals are carried over at least two reference signal time periods; in each of the at least two reference signal periods, the transmitting unit 702 is configured to transmit at least two second reference signal sets with the second periodicity, each second reference signal set comprising at least one reference signal, the first reference signal set comprising at least two second reference signal sets

In a hardware implementation, the sending unit 702 may be a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc. The processing unit 701 may be a processor, a processing circuit, or the like. The receiving unit may be a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc. The storage unit may be a memory. The processing unit, the transmitting unit, the receiving unit and the storage unit can be integrated together or separated.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a possible hardware structure of the terminal device according to the foregoing embodiments, which is provided for an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 9, the communication device 800 may include: input output modules (e.g., audio input output module 805, key input module 806, and display 807, etc.), a user interface 808, one or more processors 801, a transceiver 802, an antenna 803, and a memory 804. These components may be connected by a bus or other means, with fig. 9 exemplified by a bus connection. Wherein:

the antenna 803 may be used to convert electromagnetic energy into electromagnetic waves in free space or to convert electromagnetic waves in free space into electromagnetic energy in a transmission line. The transceiver 802 may be used for performing transmission processing on signals output by the processor 801 and also for performing reception processing on mobile communication signals received by the antenna 803. In the present embodiment, the transceiver 802 may be considered a wireless modem. In the communication apparatus 800, the number of the transceivers 802 may be one or more.

In addition to the transceiver 802 shown in fig. 9, the communication device 800 may also include other communication components, such as a GPS module, a Bluetooth (Bluetooth) module, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) module, and so forth. Not limited to the above-stated wireless communication signals, the communication device 800 may also support other wireless communication signals, such as satellite signals, short-wave signals, and the like.

The input and output module may be used to enable interaction between the communication device 800 and a user/external environment, and may mainly include an audio input and output module 805, a key input module 806, a display 807, and the like. Specifically, the input/output module may further include: cameras, touch screens, sensors, and the like. The input/output modules are in communication with the processor 801 via a user interface 808.

The memory 804 may be coupled to the processor 801 via a bus or an input/output port, or the memory 804 may be integrated with the processor 801. The memory 804 is used to store at least one of various software programs, sets of instructions. In particular, the memory 804 may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state storage devices. The memory 804 may store an operating system (hereinafter referred to simply as a system), such as an embedded operating system like ANDROID, IOS, WINDOWS, or LINUX. The memory 804 may further store a user interface program, which may vividly display the content of the application program through a graphical operation interface, and receive a control operation of the application program by a user through an input control such as a menu, a dialog box, and a button.

In the embodiment of the present application, the memory 804 may be used to store an implementation program of the reference signal transmission method provided in one or more embodiments of the present application on the terminal device side. For the implementation of the reference signal transmission method provided in one or more embodiments of the present application, please refer to the foregoing embodiments.

The processor 801 may be configured to read and execute computer readable instructions. Specifically, the processor 801 may be configured to call a program stored in the memory 804, for example, an implementation program of the reference signal transmission method provided in one or more embodiments of the present application on the terminal device side, and execute instructions included in the program to implement the method according to the previous embodiment. The processor 801 may support: long Term Evolution (LTE) (4G) communications, 5G communications, and future evolution communication technologies, among others. Optionally, when the processor 801 sends any message or data, it sends it specifically by driving or controlling the transceiver 802. Optionally, when the processor 801 receives any message or data, it specifically drives or controls the transceiver 802 for reception. Thus, the processor 801 may be considered a control center that performs transmission or reception, and the transceiver 802 is a specific performer of transmission and reception operations.

It is understood that the communication apparatus 800 may be the terminal device 102 in the wireless communication system 100 shown in fig. 1, and may be implemented as an eMTC device, a mobile station (mobile station), a mobile unit (mobile unit), a wireless unit, a remote unit, a user agent, a mobile client, and so on.

It should be noted that the communication apparatus 800 shown in fig. 9 is only one implementation manner of the embodiment of the present application, and in practical applications, the communication apparatus 800 may further include more or less components, which is not limited herein. For specific implementation of the communication apparatus 800, reference may be made to the description related to the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

In the case of dividing each functional module by corresponding functions, fig. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a possible logical structure of the network device according to the foregoing embodiment, and the communication apparatus 900 includes: a receiving unit 901. The communication apparatus 900 may be the network device in the foregoing method embodiments, or may be a component (e.g., a chip system, a hardware circuit, etc.) configured in the network device. Illustratively, the receiving unit 901 is configured to support the communication apparatus 90 to perform the step of receiving information by the corresponding network device in the foregoing method embodiments shown in fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5 or fig. 7. Optionally, the communication apparatus 900 may further include a sending unit, configured to support the communication apparatus 90 to perform the step of sending information by a corresponding network device in the foregoing method embodiments shown in fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5, or fig. 7. Optionally, the communication apparatus 900 may further include a processing unit, configured to support the network device to perform the processing steps related to the network device in the foregoing method embodiments shown in fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5, or fig. 7, for example, to implement other functions besides the functions of the sending unit and the receiving unit, and the like. Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a storage unit for storing codes (programs) or data. Exemplarily, the receiving unit 901 is configured to receive at least two first reference signal sets with a first periodicity; the at least two first sets of reference signals are carried over at least two reference signal time periods; in each of the at least two reference signal periods, the receiving unit 901 is configured to receive at least two second reference signal sets at a second periodicity, each second reference signal set includes at least one reference signal, and the first reference signal set includes at least two second reference signal sets.

In a hardware implementation, the processing unit may be a processor or a processing circuit. The receiving unit 901 may be a receiver or a receiving circuit or the like. The sending unit may be a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc. The storage unit may be a memory. The processing unit, the transmitting unit, the receiving unit and the storage unit can be integrated together or separated.

Fig. 11 shows a schematic diagram of a possible hardware structure of the network device involved in the above embodiments. As shown in fig. 11, the communication device 1000 may include: one or more processors 1001, memory 1002, network interface 1003, transceiver 1005, and antenna 1008. These components may be connected by a bus 1004, or otherwise, as illustrated by the bus connection in FIG. 11. Wherein:

the network interface 1003 may be used for the communication apparatus 1000 to communicate with other communication devices, such as other network devices. Specifically, the network interface 1003 may be a wired interface.

The transceiver 1005 may be used for transmit processing, e.g., signal modulation, of signals output by the processor 1001. The transceiver 1005 may also be used for receive processing of mobile communication signals received by the antenna 1008. Such as signal demodulation. In some embodiments of the present application, transceiver 1005 may be considered a wireless modem. In the communication apparatus 1000, the number of the transceivers 1005 may be one or more. The antenna 1008 may be used to convert electromagnetic energy in transmission lines to electromagnetic energy in free space, or vice versa.

The memory 1002 may be coupled to the processor 1001 via the bus 1004 or an input/output port, and the memory 1002 may be integrated with the processor 1001. The memory 1002 is used to store various software programs and/or sets of instructions or data. In particular, the memory 1002 may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state storage devices. The memory 1002 may store an operating system (hereinafter, referred to as a system), such as an embedded operating system like uCOS, VxWorks, RTLinux, or the like.

The processor 1001 may be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, transistor logic, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. Which may implement or perform the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure. The processor may also be a combination of certain functions, including for example one or more microprocessors, a combination of digital signal processors and microprocessors, or the like.

In the embodiment of the present application, the processor 1001 may be configured to read and execute computer readable instructions. Specifically, the processor 1001 may be configured to call a program stored in the memory 1002, for example, an implementation program of the reference signal transmission method provided in one or more embodiments of the present application on the network device side, and execute instructions included in the program.

It is understood that the communication apparatus 1000 may be the network device 101 in the wireless communication system 100 shown in fig. 1, and may be implemented as a base transceiver station, a wireless transceiver, a Basic Service Set (BSS), an Extended Service Set (ESS), a NodeB, an eNodeB, a gNB, and so on.

It should be noted that the communication apparatus 1000 shown in fig. 11 is only one implementation manner of the embodiment of the present application, and in practical applications, the communication apparatus 1000 may further include more or less components, which is not limited herein. For specific implementation of the communication apparatus 1000, reference may be made to the description related to the network device in the foregoing method embodiment, and details are not described here again.

Referring to fig. 12, fig. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a communication chip provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 12, the communication chip 1100 may include: a processor 1101, and one or more interfaces 1102 coupled to the processor 1101. The following are exemplary:

the processor 1101 may be used to read and execute computer readable instructions. In particular implementations, processor 1101 may include primarily a controller, an operator, and registers. Illustratively, the controller is mainly responsible for instruction decoding and sending out control signals for operations corresponding to the instructions. The arithmetic unit is mainly responsible for executing fixed-point or floating-point arithmetic operation, shift operation, logic operation and the like, and can also execute address operation and conversion. The register is mainly responsible for storing register operands, intermediate operation results and the like temporarily stored in the instruction execution process. In a specific implementation, the hardware architecture of the processor 1101 may be an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) architecture, a microprocessor without interlocked pipeline stage architecture (MIPS) architecture, an advanced reduced instruction set machine (ARM) architecture, or a Network Processor (NP) architecture, and the like. The processors 1101 may be single core or multicore.

Illustratively, the interface 1102 may be used to input data to be processed to the processor 1101, and may output a processing result of the processor 1101 to the outside. In a specific implementation, the interface 1102 may be a General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) interface, and may be connected to at least one peripheral device (e.g., a display (LCD), a camera (camara), a Radio Frequency (RF) module, etc.). The interface 1102 is coupled to the processor 1101 by a bus 1103.

In a possible implementation manner, the processor 1101 may be configured to call, from the memory, an implementation program or data of the reference signal transmission method provided in one or more embodiments of the present application on the terminal device side, so that the chip may implement the related functions of the reference signal transmission method shown in the foregoing fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5, or fig. 7 on the terminal device. In another possible implementation manner, the processor 1101 may be configured to call, from the memory, an implementation program or data of the reference signal transmission method provided in one or more embodiments of the present application on the network device side, so that the chip may implement the relevant operation of the reference signal transmission method shown in fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5, or fig. 7 on the network device. The memory may be integrated with the processor 1101 or may be coupled to the communication chip 1100 via the interface 1102, i.e. the memory may be part of the communication chip 1100 or may be separate from the communication chip 110. The interface 1102 may be used to output the results of the execution by the processor 1101. For reference signal transmission methods provided in one or more embodiments of the present application, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiments, which are not described herein again.

It should be noted that the functions corresponding to the processor 1101 and the interface 1102 may be implemented by hardware design, software design, or a combination of hardware and software, which is not limited herein.

In another embodiment of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is further provided, where a computer-executable instruction is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when a device (which may be a single chip, a chip, or the like) or a processor may call the computer-executable instruction stored in the computer-readable storage medium, the device or the processor may execute the steps of the terminal device and the network device in the reference signal transmission method provided in fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5, or fig. 7. The aforementioned computer-readable storage medium may include: u disk, removable hard disk, read only memory, random access memory, magnetic or optical disk, etc. for storing program codes.

In another embodiment of the present application, there is also provided a computer program product comprising computer executable instructions stored in a computer readable storage medium; the computer executable instructions may be read by at least one processor of the device from a computer readable storage medium, and the computer executable instructions executed by the at least one processor may cause the device to implement the steps of the terminal device and the network device in the reference signal transmission method provided in fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5 or fig. 7.

In another embodiment of the present application, there is also provided a communication system including a plurality of devices including a terminal device and a network device. Illustratively, the terminal device may be the communication apparatus provided in fig. 8 or fig. 10, and is configured to perform the steps of the corresponding terminal device in the reference signal transmission method provided in fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5 or fig. 7. And/or the network device may be the network device provided in fig. 9 or fig. 11, and is configured to perform the steps of the corresponding network device in the reference signal transmission method provided in fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5, or fig. 7.

Finally, it should be noted that: the above is only an embodiment of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present disclosure should be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

In the above embodiments, the implementation may be wholly or partially realized by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. The procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are all or partially generated when the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a network of computers, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored on a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another, for example, from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wire (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device, such as a server, a data center, etc., that incorporates one or more of the available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., Solid State Disk (SSD)), among others.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement and the like made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting a reference signal, comprising:

the terminal equipment determines a first period and a second period for sending the reference signal;

the terminal equipment transmits at least two first reference signal sets at the first period; the at least two first sets of reference signals are carried over at least two reference signal time periods;

in each of the at least two reference signal periods, the terminal device transmits at least two second reference signal sets at the second periodicity, each second reference signal set including at least one reference signal, and the first reference signal set including at least two second reference signal sets.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the length of each reference signal time segment is a duration of N consecutive time units, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the reference signal time periods comprises M time units for carrying the reference signal, wherein the M time units are M consecutive time units or M non-consecutive time units, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

the terminal equipment receives indication information for indicating the value of the N.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

the terminal device receives indication information for indicating the value of M.

6. The method of any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

the terminal equipment receives indication information used for indicating the first period.

7. The method of any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

and the terminal equipment receives indication information for indicating the second period.

8. The method of claim 3 or 5, further comprising:

and the terminal equipment receives indication information used for indicating the time-frequency resource positions of the reference signals in the M time units.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein frequency domain resources for carrying the reference signal in the at least two reference signal time periods are located in different frequency bands.

10. The method according to claim 3 or 5, wherein frequency bands of frequency domain resources used for carrying the reference signal in at least two of the M time units are different.

11. The method according to any of claims 3 or 5, wherein the subcarriers used to carry the reference signal are different on at least two OFDM symbols in one of the M time units.

12. A method for transmitting a reference signal, comprising:

the network equipment receives at least two first reference signal sets with a first period; the at least two first sets of reference signals are carried over at least two reference signal time periods;

within each of the at least two reference signal periods, the network device receives at least two second reference signal sets at a second periodicity, each second reference signal set comprising at least one reference signal, the first reference signal set comprising at least two of the second reference signal sets.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the reference signal time segments has a length of N consecutive time units in duration, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the reference signal time periods comprises M time units for carrying the reference signal, wherein the M time units are M consecutive time units or M non-consecutive time units, and wherein M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

and the network equipment sends indication information used for indicating the time-frequency resource positions of the reference signals in the M time units.

16. The method according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the frequency bands of the frequency domain resources used for carrying the reference signals in the at least two reference signal time periods are different.

17. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein frequency bands of frequency domain resources used for carrying the reference signal in at least two of the M time units are different.

18. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the subcarriers used to carry the reference signal are different on at least two OFDM symbols in one of the M time units.

19. A method for transmitting a reference signal, comprising:

the network equipment determines a first period and a second period for sending the reference signal;

the network device transmits at least two first reference signal sets at the first periodicity; the at least two first sets of reference signals are carried over at least two reference signal time periods;

within each of the at least two reference signal periods, the network device transmits at least two second reference signal sets at the second periodicity, each second reference signal set comprising at least one reference signal, the first reference signal set comprising at least two of the second reference signal sets.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

the network device sends indication information for indicating the first period and/or indication information for indicating the second period.

21. A method for transmitting a reference signal, comprising:

the terminal equipment receives at least two first reference signal sets at a first period; the at least two first sets of reference signals are carried over at least two reference signal time periods;

in each of the at least two reference signal periods, the terminal device receives at least two second reference signal sets at a second periodicity, each second reference signal set comprising at least one reference signal, and the first reference signal set comprising at least two of the second reference signal sets.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

the terminal equipment receives indication information used for indicating the first period and/or indication information used for indicating the second period.

23. A reference signal transmission apparatus, comprising:

in each of the at least two reference signal periods, the transmitting unit transmits at least two second reference signal sets at the second periodicity, each second reference signal set including at least one reference signal, and the first reference signal set including at least two second reference signal sets.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the length of each of the reference signal time segments is a duration of N consecutive time units, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

25. The apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, wherein each of the reference signal time periods comprises M time units for carrying the reference signal, the M time units are M consecutive time units or M non-consecutive time units, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

26. The apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the frequency bands of the frequency domain resources for carrying the reference signals in the at least two reference signal time periods are different.

27. A reference signal transmission apparatus, comprising:

in each of the at least two reference signal periods, the receiving unit receives at least two second reference signal sets at a second periodicity, each second reference signal set including at least one reference signal, and the first reference signal set including at least two second reference signal sets.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the length of each of the reference signal time segments is a duration of N consecutive time units, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

29. The apparatus according to claim 27 or 28, wherein each of the reference signal time segments comprises M time units for carrying the reference signal, the M time units are M consecutive time units or M non-consecutive time units, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

30. The apparatus according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the frequency bands of the frequency domain resources for carrying the reference signals in the at least two reference signal time periods are different.

31. A chip comprising a processor and a memory, and one or more interfaces coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to call a program for implementing the reference signal transmission method according to any one of claims 1, 12, 19, or 21 from the memory, and execute instructions contained in the program, and the interfaces are configured to output processing results of the processor.

32. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the reference signal transmission method of any one of claims 1, 12, 19 or 21.