CN115884105A

CN115884105A - Packet management method and communication device

Info

Publication number: CN115884105A
Application number: CN202111152781.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李芳�; 陈雷; 袁世通
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-09-29
Filing date: 2021-09-29
Publication date: 2023-03-31
Also published as: WO2023051188A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses a packet management method, which comprises the following steps: the first terminal equipment sends a beam measurement result of the first terminal equipment to the network equipment; the first terminal equipment performs any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result: staying in a first packet in which the first terminal device is located, or switching from the first packet to a second packet; wherein the first packet includes one or more terminal devices, the first packet corresponds to a first beam, the second packet includes one or more terminal devices, the second packet corresponds to a second beam, and the terminal devices included in the first packet do not overlap with the terminal devices included in the second packet. Thereby enabling maintenance of the packet. And the indication of the network equipment is not needed, so that the signaling overhead is saved. The method and the device are convenient for the network equipment to perform multicast beam indication at a packet level, realize that the network equipment performs beam indication efficiently, and further save signaling overhead.

Description

Packet management method and communication device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a packet management method and a communications apparatus.

Background

In the fifth generation mobile communication system (5th generation, 5g), high frequency is used for communication between the network device and the terminal device, that is, data is transmitted between the network device and the terminal device by using ultra-high frequency band signals. High frequency communication has one major problem: the signal energy drops sharply with the transmission distance, resulting in a short signal transmission distance. In order to overcome the problem, the high-frequency communication adopts an analog beam technology, the weighting processing is carried out through a large-scale antenna array, the signal energy is concentrated in a smaller range, and a signal (called an analog beam, called a beam for short) similar to a light beam is formed, so that the transmission distance is increased.

Currently, a network device may indicate a beam to a terminal device for the terminal device to transmit or receive data. When the terminal device moves, the quality of each beam changes for the terminal device, resulting in a change in the beam with better signal quality of the terminal device. The network device may indicate the beam to each user separately through beam switching signaling in order to facilitate the user to switch to the beam with better beam quality. If a plurality of terminal apparatuses move in the same direction at the same speed, the plurality of terminal apparatuses generally use the same beam and switch the beam at the same time. Therefore, in order to save signaling overhead, the network device may perform beam indication simultaneously for multiple terminal devices (i.e., the multiple terminal devices are divided into the same group).

Therefore, how to maintain the terminal grouping to facilitate the network device to perform beam indication efficiently is a considerable problem.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a packet management method and a communication device, which are used for a first terminal device to stay in a current packet or switch to other packets based on a beam measurement result, so that packet maintenance is realized. And the indication of network equipment is not needed, so that the signaling overhead is saved. The method and the device are convenient for the network equipment to perform multicast beam indication at a packet level, realize that the network equipment performs beam indication efficiently, and further save signaling overhead.

A first aspect of the present application provides a packet management method, including:

the first terminal equipment sends a beam measurement result of the first terminal equipment to the network equipment; the first terminal equipment performs any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result: staying in a first packet in which the first terminal device is located, or switching from the first packet to a second packet; wherein the first packet includes one or more terminal devices, the first packet includes the first terminal device, the first packet corresponds to the first beam, the second packet includes one or more terminal devices, the second packet corresponds to the second beam, and the terminal devices included in the first packet do not overlap with the terminal devices included in the second packet.

In the above technical solution, the first terminal device stays in the current packet or switches to other packets based on the beam measurement result, and no indication from the network device is needed, thereby saving signaling overhead and realizing packet maintenance. The delay problem caused by grouping indication of the network equipment is avoided, the network equipment can conveniently carry out multicast beam indication at a grouping level, the network equipment can efficiently carry out beam indication, and the signaling overhead is further saved. The problem of delay caused by the fact that the network equipment carries out beam indication independently for each user is avoided.

A second aspect of the present application provides a packet management method, including:

the first terminal equipment executes beam measurement to obtain a beam measurement result of the first terminal equipment; the first terminal equipment performs any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result: staying in a first packet in which the first terminal device is located, or switching from the first packet to a second packet; wherein the first packet includes one or more terminal devices, the first packet corresponds to a first beam, the second packet includes one or more terminal devices, the second packet corresponds to a second beam, and the terminal devices included in the first packet do not overlap with the terminal devices included in the second packet.

In the above technical solution, the first terminal device stays in the current packet or switches to another packet based on the beam measurement result without an instruction of the network device, thereby implementing packet maintenance. Signaling overhead is saved, and the delay problem caused by grouping indication of network equipment is avoided. The method and the device are convenient for the network equipment to perform multicast beam indication at a packet level, realize that the network equipment performs beam indication efficiently, and further save signaling overhead. The delay problem caused by the fact that the network equipment carries out beam indication independently for each user is avoided.

In one possible implementation manner, the first terminal device staying in a first packet where the first terminal device is located according to the beam measurement result includes:

if the beam corresponding to the maximum Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) in the beam measurement result is the same as the first beam, the first terminal device stays in the first group in which the first terminal device is located; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

if the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results is the first beam, the first terminal equipment stays in the first group where the first terminal equipment is located; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

and if the difference value between the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results and the RSRP of the first beam is smaller than or equal to a first threshold value, the first terminal equipment stays in the first group where the first terminal equipment is located.

The above provides some possible implementations in which the first terminal device stays in the first packet based on the beam measurement result, thereby facilitating the network device to perform multicast beam indication at the packet level to save signaling overhead. And meanwhile, the problem of delay caused by independently carrying out beam indication for each user is avoided.

In another possible implementation manner, the beam measurement result includes a beam measurement result that is reported by the first terminal device for N consecutive times, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the first terminal device switches from the first packet to the second packet based on the beam measurement results, including:

if the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device for N times continuously is different from the first beam, and the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device for N times continuously is the second beam, switching the first terminal device from the first group to the second group; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

and if the difference value between the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal equipment every time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal equipment for N times continuously and the RSRP of the first beam is larger than a first threshold value, and the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal equipment every time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal equipment for N times continuously is a second beam, switching the first terminal equipment from the first group to the second group.

The foregoing provides some possible implementations in which the first terminal device switches to the second packet based on the beam measurement results reported N times. Thereby facilitating multicast beam indication at the packet level by the network device to save signaling overhead. And meanwhile, the problem of delay caused by independently performing beam indication on each user is avoided. And secondly, the first terminal equipment is switched to a second group based on the beam measurement results reported for multiple times, so that the first terminal equipment can be accurately and reasonably switched to the corresponding group. The first terminal equipment is facilitated to use the wave beam with better signal quality for communication, and therefore the communication quality is improved.

In another possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first terminal device receives packet information from the network device, the packet information indicating that the first terminal device belongs to the first packet. In the above implementation manner, the first terminal device may receive packet information from the network device, so that the first terminal device determines a packet to which the first terminal device belongs.

In another possible implementation manner, the method further includes:

the first terminal equipment receives a first corresponding relation from the network equipment, wherein the first corresponding relation is a corresponding relation between a plurality of groups and a plurality of beams managed by the network equipment;

the first terminal equipment performs any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result: staying in a first packet in which the first terminal device is located, or switching from the first packet to a second packet, includes:

the first terminal equipment executes any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result and the first corresponding relation: stay in the first packet where the first terminal device is located, or switch from the first packet to the second packet.

In the implementation manner, the first terminal device may receive the first corresponding relationship, so that the first terminal device stays in the current packet or is switched to another packet based on the beam measurement result and the first corresponding relationship, an indication of the network device is not needed, and an indication signaling overhead is saved.

In another possible implementation manner, the first correspondence includes a correspondence between an identifier of the plurality of packets and a beam index of the plurality of beams; alternatively, the first correspondence comprises a correspondence between scrambling sequence values corresponding to the plurality of packets and beam indices of the plurality of beams.

The above illustrates two possible representations of the first correspondence. The first terminal device can conveniently stay in the first group or switch to other groups in combination with the first corresponding relation, so that the first terminal device can determine the group to which the first terminal device belongs. The method and the device facilitate the network equipment to perform beam indication at a packet level, and save signaling overhead.

In another possible implementation manner, after the first terminal device receives the first corresponding relationship from the network device, the first terminal device performs any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result and the first corresponding relationship: before staying in a first packet in which the first terminal device is located, or switching from the first packet to a second packet, the method further comprises: the first terminal equipment receives first indication information from the network equipment, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment of the first group to be respectively switched to the first beam; the first terminal equipment is switched to a first beam according to the first indication information; the first terminal equipment updates the first corresponding relation according to the first indication information; the first terminal equipment executes any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result and the first corresponding relation: staying in a first packet in which the first terminal device is located, or switching from the first packet to a second packet, includes: the first terminal equipment executes any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result and the updated first corresponding relation: stay in the first packet where the first terminal device is located, or switch from the first packet to the second packet.

In the implementation manner, the network device indicates the first beam to the terminal device of the first group through the first indication information, thereby implementing multicast beam indication, improving the indication efficiency of the network device, and saving the indication signaling overhead. The first terminal equipment updates the first corresponding relation based on the first indication information, and self-maintenance of the first terminal equipment on the first corresponding relation is achieved. Facilitating the first terminal device to stay in the current group or to switch to another group based on the beam measurement and the updated first correspondence. To facilitate beam indication at the packet level by the network device.

In another possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first terminal equipment receives second indication information from the network equipment, wherein the second indication information is respectively used for indicating the terminal equipment of the third group to be respectively switched to a third beam; and the first terminal equipment updates the first corresponding relation according to the second indication information.

In the foregoing implementation manner, the first terminal device may receive the beam indication information of other packets, and update the first corresponding relationship, thereby implementing self-maintenance of the first corresponding relationship. Facilitating the first terminal device to stay in the current packet or switch to other packets based on the beam measurement results. Facilitating beam indication at the packet level by the network device.

In another possible implementation manner, the receiving, by the first terminal device, the first indication information from the network device includes:

the first terminal device receives a first Downlink Control Information (DCI) from a network device, where the first DCI is used to indicate a first transmission configuration indicator (TCI-state) state, and the first TCI state is used to indicate a first beam.

The above implementation provides a specific bearer for multicast beam indication, which is beneficial to implementation of the scheme. The network device indirectly indicates the first beam via the first TCI status, facilitating the first terminal device to determine the first beam.

In another possible implementation, the first TCI state is one of one or more TCI states activated by the first packet of the network device; the method further comprises the following steps: a first terminal device receives a second DCI from a network device, where the second DCI is used to schedule a first media access control element (MAC CE) for a first packet, and the first MAC CE is used to activate one or more TCI states for the first packet, where each TCI state corresponds to a beam; the first terminal device receives the first MAC CE from the network device. The foregoing provides one possible implementation of a network device activating one or more TCI states for a first packet, thereby facilitating implementation of the scheme.

In another possible implementation, the first TCI state is one of one or more TCI states activated by the network device for the first packet; the method further comprises the following steps: the first terminal device receives a third DCI from the network device, the third DCI being for activating one or more TCI states for the first packet.

The foregoing provides another possible implementation of a network device activating one or more TCI states for a first packet, enriching the scheme. The network device may directly activate one or more TCI states for the first packet through the third DCI, which is beneficial to reduce overhead of indicating the activated TCI states.

In another possible implementation manner, the method further includes:

the first terminal device receives configuration information from the network device, the configuration information is used for configuring a first TCI state resource pool, the first TCI state resource pool comprises one or more TCI states, each TCI state corresponds to one beam, and the first TCI state resource pool is used for the network device to select a corresponding TCI state for a plurality of packets.

In this possible implementation, the first terminal device may receive a first TCI status resource pool configured from the network device, thereby facilitating the network device to select a corresponding TCI status from the first TCI status resource pool and indicate the activated TCI status to the first terminal device.

In another possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first terminal equipment sends the capability information to the network equipment; wherein the capability information comprises at least one of: the information of whether the first terminal device supports the grouping management mode, the maximum number of the corresponding relation groups between the maintained grouping and the wave beam supported by the first terminal device, the wave beam switching time delay of the first terminal device in the grouping management mode, the grouping effective time delay of the first terminal device in the grouping management mode, the information of whether the first terminal device supports the grouping automatic effective mode, and the information of whether the first terminal device supports the grouping management mode of the aggregation of a plurality of carriers.

In the foregoing implementation manner, the first terminal device may send the capability information to the network device, which is beneficial for the network device to select a suitable beam indication manner for the first terminal device, determine a group of correspondence between packets and beams that the first terminal device can maintain, and configure a corresponding number of packets. For example, if the first terminal device supports the packet management mode, the network device may divide the first terminal device into corresponding packets and select a packet beam indication to indicate the beam of the corresponding packet to the first terminal device.

A third aspect of the present application provides a packet management method, including:

the network equipment receives the beam measurement result from the first terminal equipment; the network equipment determines according to the beam measurement result: the first terminal device stays in the first packet or the first terminal device switches from the first packet to the second packet; wherein the first packet includes one or more terminal devices, the first packet corresponds to a first beam, the second packet includes one or more terminal devices, the second packet corresponds to a second beam, and the terminal devices included in the first packet do not overlap with the terminal devices included in the second packet.

In the above technical solution, the network device may determine, according to the beam measurement result: the first terminal device stays in the first packet or the first terminal device switches from the first packet to the second packet. The first terminal device can determine the group to which the first terminal device belongs by itself, and maintenance of the group is achieved. And the indication of network equipment is not needed, so that the signaling overhead is saved. The delay problem caused by grouping indication of the network equipment is avoided. And the network equipment can conveniently perform multicast beam indication at a packet level, thereby realizing that the network equipment can efficiently perform beam indication and further saving signaling overhead. The problem of delay caused by the fact that the network equipment carries out beam indication independently for each user is avoided.

In a possible implementation manner, before the network device receives the beam measurement result from the first terminal device, the method further includes: the network device sends packet information to the first terminal device, wherein the packet information is used for indicating that the first terminal device belongs to the first packet. In the foregoing implementation manner, the network device sends the packet information to the first terminal device, so that the first terminal device determines the packet to which the first terminal device belongs.

In another possible implementation manner, the method further includes:

the network device sends a first corresponding relation to the first terminal device, wherein the first corresponding relation is a corresponding relation between a plurality of groups managed by the network device and a plurality of beams. In the implementation manner, the network device may send the first corresponding relationship to the first terminal device, so that the first terminal device may stay in the current packet or switch to another packet, without an indication of the network device, and thus, the indication signaling overhead is saved.

In another possible implementation manner, the first correspondence includes a correspondence between an identifier of the plurality of packets and a beam index of the plurality of beams; alternatively, the first correspondence includes a correspondence between scrambling sequences corresponding to the plurality of packets and beam indices of the plurality of beams.

In another possible implementation manner, after the network device sends the first corresponding relationship to the first terminal device, the method further includes: the network equipment sends first indication information, and the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment of the first group to respectively switch to the first beams.

In the implementation manner, the network device indicates the first beam to the terminal device of the first group through the first indication information, thereby implementing multicast beam indication, improving the indication efficiency of the network device, and saving the indication signaling overhead. The first terminal device can update the first corresponding relation conveniently based on the first indication information, and self-maintenance of the first terminal device on the first corresponding relation is achieved. Facilitating the first terminal device to stay in the first packet or switch to other packets based on the beam measurement results. The network device is facilitated to perform beam indication at a packet level.

In another possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and the network equipment sends second indication information, wherein the second indication information is respectively used for indicating the terminal equipment of the third group to be respectively switched to the third beam.

In the foregoing implementation manner, the network device may multicast a third beam corresponding to the third packet, so as to facilitate the terminal devices in multiple packets to obtain the second indication information. Therefore, the first corresponding relation can be updated conveniently by a plurality of grouped terminal devices, and the self-maintenance of the first corresponding relation can be realized.

In another possible implementation manner, the sending, by the network device, the first indication information includes: the network device transmits a first DCI, wherein the first DCI is used for indicating a first TCI state, and the first TCI state is used for indicating a first beam.

The implementation manner provides a specific bearer for multicast beam indication, which is beneficial to implementation of the scheme. The network device indirectly indicates the first beam through the first TCI status, which facilitates the first terminal device to determine the first beam.

In another possible implementation, the first TCI state is one of one or more TCI states activated by the network device for the first packet; the method further comprises the following steps: the network equipment transmits second DCI, wherein the second DCI is used for scheduling a first MAC CE for the first packet, the first MAC CE is used for activating one or more TCI states for the first packet, and each TCI state corresponds to one beam; the network device transmits the first MAC CE.

The foregoing provides one possible implementation of a network device activating one or more TCI states for a first packet, thereby facilitating implementation of the scheme.

In another possible implementation, the first TCI state is one of one or more TCI states activated by the network device for the first packet; the method further comprises the following steps: the network device sends a third DCI to the second terminal device, the third DCI being configured to activate one or more TCI states for the first packet.

The foregoing provides another possible implementation of a network device activating one or more TCI states for a first packet, enriching the scheme. The network device may directly activate one or more TCI states for the first packet through the third DCI, which is beneficial to reducing overhead indicating the activated TCI states.

In another possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the network device sends configuration information, where the configuration information is used to configure a first TCI state resource pool, where the first TCI state resource pool includes one or more TCI states, each TCI state corresponds to a beam, and the first TCI state resource pool is used for the network device to select a corresponding TCI state for a plurality of packets.

In this possible implementation manner, the network device configures a first TCI status resource pool for the first terminal device, so that the network device is convenient to select a corresponding TCI status from the first TCI status resource pool, and indicate the activated TCI status to the first terminal device.

In another possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the network equipment receives the capability information from the first terminal equipment; wherein the capability information comprises at least one of: the information of whether the first terminal device supports a grouping management mode, the maximum number of corresponding relation groups between the maintained grouping and the wave beam supported by the first terminal device, the wave beam switching time delay of the first terminal device in the grouping management mode, the grouping effective time delay of the first terminal device in the grouping management mode, the information of whether the first terminal device supports a grouping automatic effective mode, and the information of whether the first terminal device supports a grouping management mode of a plurality of carrier aggregations.

In the foregoing implementation manner, the network device receives the capability information from the first terminal device, which is beneficial for the network device to select a suitable beam indication manner for the first terminal device, determine a group of correspondence between packets and beams that can be maintained by the first terminal device, and configure a corresponding number of packets. For example, if the first terminal device supports the packet management mode, the network device may divide the first terminal device into corresponding packets and select a packet beam indication to indicate the beam of the corresponding packet to the first terminal device.

A fourth aspect of the present application provides a communication apparatus comprising:

a receiving and sending module, configured to send a beam measurement result of the communication apparatus to the network device;

a processing module for performing any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result: staying in a first packet in which the communication device is located, or switching from the first packet to a second packet; wherein the first packet includes one or more terminal devices, the first packet corresponds to a first beam, the second packet includes one or more terminal devices, the second packet corresponds to a second beam, and the terminal devices included in the first packet do not overlap with the terminal devices included in the second packet.

A fifth aspect of the present application provides a communication apparatus comprising:

the processing module is used for executing beam measurement to obtain a beam measurement result of the communication device; performing any one of the following operations based on the beam measurements: staying in a first packet in which the communication device is located, or switching from the first packet to a second packet; wherein the first packet includes one or more terminal devices, the first packet corresponds to a first beam, the second packet includes one or more terminal devices, the second packet corresponds to a second beam, and the terminal devices included in the first packet do not overlap with the terminal devices included in the second packet.

In a possible implementation manner, the processing module is specifically configured to:

if the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results is the same as the first beam, staying in a first group in which the communication device is located; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

if the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results is the first beam, staying in the first group where the communication device is located; alternatively, the first and second liquid crystal display panels may be,

and if the difference value of the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results and the RSRP of the first beam is smaller than or equal to a first threshold value, staying in the first group where the communication device is located.

In another possible implementation manner, the beam measurement result includes a beam measurement result reported by the communication device for N consecutive times, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the processing module is specifically configured to:

if the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the communication device for N times continuously is different from the first beam, and the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the communication device for N times continuously is the second beam, switching from the first group to the second group; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

and if the difference value between the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the communication device for N times continuously and the RSRP of the first beam is larger than a first threshold value, and the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the communication device for N times continuously is a second beam, switching from the first group to the second group.

In another possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is further configured to:

packet information is received from the network device, the packet information indicating that the communication apparatus belongs to the first packet.

receiving a first corresponding relation from the network equipment, wherein the first corresponding relation is a corresponding relation between a plurality of groups managed by the network equipment and a plurality of beams;

the processing module is specifically configured to:

performing any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement and the first correspondence: stay in the first packet where the communication device is located, or switch from the first packet to the second packet.

receiving first indication information from the network equipment, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment of the first group to respectively switch to the first beams;

the processing module is further configured to:

switching to a first beam according to the first indication information;

updating the first corresponding relation according to the first indication information;

the processing module is specifically configured to:

performing any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result and the updated first corresponding relation: stay in the first packet where the communication device is located, or switch from the first packet to the second packet.

receiving second indication information from the network device, wherein the second indication information is respectively used for indicating the terminal devices of the third group to respectively switch to the third beam;

the processing module is further configured to:

and updating the first corresponding relation according to the second indication information.

In another possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is specifically configured to:

receiving first DCI from a network device, wherein the first DCI is used for indicating a first TCI state, and the first TCI state is used for indicating a first beam.

In another possible implementation, the first TCI state is one of one or more TCI states activated by the first packet of the network device; the transceiver module is further configured to:

receiving second DCI from the network device, the second DCI being used for scheduling a first MAC CE for the first packet, the first MAC CE being used for activating the one or more TCI states for the first packet, each TCI state corresponding to one beam;

a first MAC CE is received from a network device.

In another possible implementation, the first TCI state is one of one or more TCI states activated by the network device for the first packet; the transceiver module is further configured to:

receiving a third DCI from the network device, the third DCI for activating one or more TCI states for the first packet.

receiving configuration information from the network device, the configuration information being used to configure a first TCI state resource pool, the first TCI state resource pool including one or more TCI states, each TCI state corresponding to a beam, the first TCI state resource pool being used for the network device to select a corresponding TCI state for a plurality of packets.

sending capability information to the network device;

wherein the capability information comprises at least one of: information on whether the communication apparatus supports the packet management mode, the maximum number of correspondence groups between packets and beams that the communication apparatus supports maintenance, a beam switching delay of the communication apparatus in the packet management mode, a packet validation delay of the communication apparatus in the packet management mode, information on whether the communication apparatus supports the packet auto-validation mode, and information on whether the communication apparatus supports the packet management mode of multiple carrier aggregation.

A sixth aspect of the present application provides a communication apparatus comprising:

a transceiver module for receiving beam measurements from a first terminal device;

a processing module for determining, from the beam measurement: the first terminal device stays in the first packet or the first terminal device switches from the first packet to the second packet; wherein the first packet includes one or more terminal devices, the first packet corresponds to a first beam, the second packet includes one or more terminal devices, the second packet corresponds to a second beam, and the terminal devices included in the first packet do not overlap with the terminal devices included in the second packet.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is further configured to:

and sending packet information to the first terminal equipment, wherein the packet information is used for indicating that the first terminal equipment belongs to the first packet.

and transmitting a first correspondence relationship to the first terminal device, the first correspondence relationship being a correspondence relationship between a plurality of packets and a plurality of beams managed by the communication means.

and sending first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal devices of the first group to respectively switch to the first beams.

and sending second indication information, wherein the second indication information is respectively used for indicating the terminal devices of the third group to be respectively switched to the third beam.

and transmitting first DCI, wherein the first DCI is used for indicating a first TCI state, and the first TCI state is used for indicating a first beam.

In another possible implementation, the first TCI state is one of one or more TCI states that the communication device activates for the first packet; the transceiver module is specifically configured to:

transmitting a second DCI, wherein the second DCI is used for scheduling a first MAC CE for the first packet, the first MAC CE is used for activating one or more TCI states for the first packet, and each TCI state corresponds to one beam;

the first MAC CE is transmitted.

and transmitting third DCI to the second terminal equipment, wherein the third DCI is used for activating one or more TCI states for the first packet.

and sending configuration information, the configuration information being used to configure a first TCI state resource pool, the first TCI state resource pool including one or more TCI states, each TCI state corresponding to a beam, the first TCI state resource pool being used by the communications device to select a corresponding TCI state for the plurality of packets.

receiving capability information from a first terminal device;

wherein the capability information comprises at least one of: the information of whether the first terminal device supports the grouping management mode, the maximum number of the corresponding relation groups between the maintained grouping and the wave beam supported by the first terminal device, the wave beam switching time delay of the first terminal device in the grouping management mode, the grouping effective time delay of the first terminal device in the grouping management mode, the information of whether the first terminal device supports the grouping automatic effective mode, and the information of whether the first terminal device supports the grouping management mode of the aggregation of a plurality of carriers.

A seventh aspect of the present application provides a communication apparatus comprising: a processor and a memory. The memory stores a computer program or computer instructions, and the processor is configured to call and execute the computer program or computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the processor implements any implementation manner of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect.

Optionally, the communication device further includes a transceiver, and the processor is configured to control the transceiver to transceive signals.

An eighth aspect of the present application provides a communication device comprising a processor. The processor is configured to invoke a computer program or computer instructions in the memory to cause the processor to implement any one implementation of any one of the first to third aspects.

A ninth aspect of the present application provides a communication device comprising a processor configured to perform any one of the implementations as in any one of the first to third aspects.

A tenth aspect of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the implementation of any of the first to third aspects.

An eleventh aspect of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium comprising computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform any one of the implementations as in any one of the first to third aspects.

A twelfth aspect of the present application provides a chip apparatus, including a processor, configured to invoke a computer program or computer instructions in the memory, so as to cause the processor to execute any implementation manner of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect.

Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

A thirteenth aspect of the present application provides a communication system comprising a first terminal device as in the first aspect and a network device as in the third aspect.

According to the technical scheme, the embodiment of the application has the following advantages:

according to the technical scheme, the first terminal device sends the beam measurement result of the first terminal device to the network device; then, the first terminal device performs any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result: stay in the first packet where the first terminal device is located, or switch from the first packet to the second packet. Wherein the first packet includes one or more terminal devices, the first packet corresponds to a first beam, the second packet includes one or more terminal devices, the second packet corresponds to a second beam, and the terminal devices included in the first packet do not overlap with the terminal devices included in the second packet. Therefore, according to the technical solution provided by the present application, the first terminal device may perform any one of the following operations based on the beam measurement result: and staying in the first group where the first terminal equipment is located, or switching from the first group to the second group, so that the first terminal equipment is attributed to the corresponding group, and the maintenance of the group is realized. And the indication of the network equipment is not needed, so that the signaling overhead is saved. The method and the device are convenient for the network device to indicate the beam corresponding to each group to the terminal device of each group, so that the network device can efficiently indicate the beam, and the signaling overhead is further saved.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a schematic structural diagram of a MAC CE for activating a TCI state according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 1B is a schematic view of a scenario of a packet management method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an embodiment of a group management method according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic view of a scenario of a packet management method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a group management method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a group management method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is another schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is another schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is another schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is another schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The embodiment of the application provides a packet management method and a communication device, which are used for a first terminal device to stay in a current packet or switch to other packets based on a beam measurement result so as to realize packet maintenance. And the indication of the network equipment is not needed, so that the signaling overhead is saved. And the network equipment can conveniently perform multicast beam indication at a packet level, thereby realizing that the network equipment can efficiently perform beam indication and further saving signaling overhead.

The technical scheme of the embodiment of the application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: a 5G system or a New Radio (NR), a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, an LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), a mobile telecommunications system behind a 5G network (e.g., a 6G mobile telecommunications system), a vehicle networking (V2X) communication system, and the like.

The communication system applicable to the application comprises the terminal equipment and the network equipment, and the network equipment and the terminal equipment are in communication transmission through the wave beams.

The following describes a terminal device and a network device of the present application.

The terminal device may be a wireless terminal device capable of receiving network device scheduling and indication information. A wireless terminal device may refer to a device that provides voice and/or data connectivity to a user, or a handheld device having wireless connection capability, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem.

Terminal devices, also referred to as User Equipment (UE), mobile Station (MS), mobile Terminal (MT), etc., are devices that include a wireless communication function (providing voice/data connectivity to a user), such as handheld devices or vehicle-mounted devices with a wireless connection function. Currently, some examples of terminal devices are: a mobile phone (mobile phone), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a palm computer, a train, an automobile, an airplane, a Mobile Internet Device (MID), a wearable device, a Virtual Reality (VR) device, an Augmented Reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in an internet of vehicles, a wireless terminal in self driving (self driving), a wireless terminal in a smart grid (smart grid), a wireless terminal in transportation safety (transportation safety), a wireless terminal in a smart city (smart city), and the like. For example, the wireless terminal in the car networking can be a car device, a whole car device, a car module, a car, and the like.

The network device may be a device in a wireless network. For example, a network device is a device deployed in a radio access network that provides wireless communication functionality for terminal devices. For example, the network device may be a Radio Access Network (RAN) node that accesses the terminal device to a wireless network, which may also be referred to as an access network device.

Network devices include, but are not limited to: an evolved Node B (eNB), a Radio Network Controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a Base Station Controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), a home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), a Base Band Unit (BBU), an Access Point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, a wireless relay Node, a wireless backhaul Node, a Transmission Point (TP), or a Transmission and Reception Point (TRP), etc., and may also be network equipment in a 5G mobile communication system. For example, next generation base stations (gnbs) in the NR system, transmission Reception Points (TRPs), TPs; or, one or a group (including a plurality of antenna panels) of antenna panels of a base station in a 5G mobile communication system; alternatively, the network device may also be a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point. E.g. BBU, or Distributed Units (DUs), etc.

In some deployments, the gNB may include a Centralized Unit (CU) and a DU. The gNB may also include an Active Antenna Unit (AAU). The CU implements part of the function of the gNB and the DU implements part of the function of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for handling non-real time protocols and services, and implements functions of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU is responsible for processing a physical layer protocol and a real-time service, and realizes functions of a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, an MAC layer, and a Physical (PHY) layer. The AAU implements part of the physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing and active antenna related functions. The information of the RRC layer may eventually become or be converted from the information of the PHY layer. Therefore, under this architecture, higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC layer signaling) can also be considered to be sent by the DU, or sent by the DU and the AAU. It will be appreciated that the network device may be a device comprising one or more of a CU node, a DU node, an AAU node. In addition, the CU may be divided into network devices in the RAN, or may be divided into network devices in a Core Network (CN), which is not limited in this application.

To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, first, the terms referred to in the present application will be briefly described below.

1. Beam (beam): a beam is a communication resource. The beam may be a wide beam, or a narrow beam, or other type of beam, and the technique for forming the beam may be a beamforming technique or other technique. The beamforming techniques may be embodied as digital beamforming techniques, analog beamforming techniques and hybrid digital/analog beamforming techniques. Different beams may be considered different resources.

Beams may be referred to in the NR protocol as spatial domain filters (spatial filters), spatial parameters (spatial domain parameters), spatial parameters (spatial parameters), spatial domain settings (spatial domain setting), spatial setting, quasi-co-location (QCL) information, QCL hypotheses, or QCL directives, etc. The beam may be indicated by a TCI-state parameter or by a spatial relationship (spatial relationship) parameter. Therefore, in the present application, the beams may be replaced by spatial filters, spatial parameters, spatial settings, QCL information, QCL assumptions, QCL indications, TCI-states (including uplink TCI-state, downlink TCI-state), or spatial relationships, etc. The above terms are also mutually equivalent. The beam may be replaced by other terms indicating a beam, and the present application is not limited thereto.

A beam for transmitting a signal may be referred to as a transmission beam (Tx beam), a spatial domain transmission filter (spatial domain transmission filter), a spatial transmission filter (spatial transmission filter), a spatial domain transmission parameter (spatial domain transmission parameter), a spatial transmission parameter (spatial transmission parameter), a spatial domain transmission setting (spatial domain transmission setting), or a spatial transmission setting (spatial transmission setting). The downlink transmission beam may be indicated by TCI-state.

The beam for receiving the signal may be referred to as a reception beam (Rx beam), a spatial domain reception filter (spatial domain reception filter), a spatial reception filter (spatial reception filter), a spatial domain reception parameter (spatial domain reception parameter) or a spatial reception parameter (spatial reception parameter), a spatial domain reception setting (spatial domain reception setting), or a spatial reception setting (spatial reception setting). The uplink transmission beam may be indicated by any one of a spatial relationship, an uplink TCI-state, and a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) resource (indicating a transmission beam using the SRS). Therefore, the uplink beam can also be replaced with the SRS resource.

The transmission beam may refer to the distribution of signal strength formed in different spatial directions after the signal is transmitted through the antenna, and the reception beam may refer to the distribution of signal strength of the wireless signal received from the antenna in different spatial directions.

Further, the beam may be a wide beam, or a narrow beam, or other type of beam. The technique of forming the beam may be a beamforming technique or other technique. The beamforming technology may specifically be a digital beamforming technology, an analog beamforming technology, a hybrid digital beamforming technology, or a hybrid analog beamforming technology.

The beam generally corresponds to the resource, for example, when the beam measurement is performed, the network device measures different beams through different resources, the terminal device feeds back the measured quality of the resource, and the network device knows the quality of the corresponding beam. When data is transmitted, the beam information is also indicated by its corresponding resource. For example, the network device indicates information of a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) beam of the terminal device through a TCI field in the DCI.

In one way of possible implementation, a plurality of beams having the same or similar communication characteristics are considered to be one beam. One or more antenna ports may be included in a beam for transmitting data channels, control channels, sounding signals, and the like. The one or more antenna ports forming one beam may also be seen as one set of antenna ports.

2. TCI-state (for indicating downstream beam)

The network device may generate different beams pointing in different transmission directions. In the downlink data transmission, when the network device transmits data to the terminal device using a specific beam, the terminal device needs to be notified of information of the transmission beam it uses, and thus the terminal device can receive the data transmitted by the network device using the reception beam corresponding to the transmission beam. In the third generation partnership project 15 (rd generation partnership project 15) protocol or the 3gpp R16 protocol, the network device indicates the terminal device about information of a transmission beam it uses through a TCI field in DCI. Specifically, the TCI field has a size of 3 bits, and may specifically indicate 8 different field values (code points). Each value of the TCI field corresponds to an index of a TCI-state, and one TCI-state index can uniquely identify one TCI-state. A TCI-state includes several parameters by which information about the transmit beam can be determined. The TCI-state is configured by the network equipment to each terminal equipment, and the structure of the TCI-state is as follows:

each TCI-state includes an own index TCI-StateId, and two QCL-infos. Each QCL-Info includes a cell (cell) field and BWP-Id, which respectively indicate to which bandwidth part (BWP) of which cell the TCI-state applies, i.e. different cells or different BWPs of the same cell may configure different QCL-Info. The QCL-Info further comprises a reference signal (reference signal) indicating which reference signal resource constitutes a quasi co-located relationship. In the R15/R16 protocol, beams are generally replaced by other terms. For example, in data transmission and channel measurement, beams correspond to reference signal resources, and one beam corresponds to one reference signal resource. Therefore, the reference signal resource is expressed as a QCL relationship, and the substantial meaning is a QCL relationship with which beam. The QCL relationship means that two reference signal resources (or two antenna ports, and the antenna ports and the reference signal resources are also in one-to-one correspondence) have some same spatial parameters, and a specific spatial parameter is the same depending on the Type of the QCL-Info, i.e. another field QCL-Type of the QCL-Info. qcl-Type can have four values of { Type A, type B, type C, type D }. Taking typeD as an example, typeD indicates that two reference signal resources have the same spatial reception parameter information, i.e., two beams have the same reception beam. At most only one of the two QCL-Info's included in the TCI-state is TypeD.

Specifically, the following is an example of how a network device indicates reception beam information of a data transmission beam to a terminal device through a TCI-state based on an R15 protocol or an R16 protocol, including configuration, activation and indication of the TCI-state.

TCI-state configuration: the network equipment configures a plurality of TCI-states to the terminal equipment through RRC signaling. These TCI-states each comprise a QCL-Info of type typeD. The network device may also be configured with TCI-states that do not include QCL-info of type typeD, although these TCI-states are not an indication for data transmission beams and are not further described herein.

TCI-state activation: after the network device configures a plurality of TCI-states, 8 TCI-states are activated by the MAC-CE. These 8 TCI-states are in one-to-one correspondence with the 8 values of the TCI field in the DCI. That is, which 8 TCI-states correspond to 8 values of the TCI field of the DCI is determined by the MAC CE.

Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a MAC CE for activating a TCI state according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1A, the fields T0 to T (R-2) × 8+07 correspond to TCI-state with index of 0 to (R-2) × 8+7 for the first step configuration, each field has a size of 1 bit and may have a value of 0 or 1. A value of 1 indicates that the TCI-state is activated, and a value of 0 indicates that the TCI-state is not activated. Each MAC CE theoretically may have 8 activation fields with a value of 1, and the rest are all 0. The TCI-state corresponding to the 8 fields with value 1 is the 8 TCI-states corresponding to the 8 values of the TCI field in the DCI. For example, the minimum value of 000 for the TCI field corresponds to the TCI-state with the smallest activated index in the MAC CE, and so on, one-to-one. There are many types of MAC CE, and there are many other MAC CE for other purposes in addition to the MAC CE for TCI-state activation. The present application relates only to MAC CEs for TCI-state or TCI-state combination activation. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the MAC CE described herein refers to such MAC CE.

TCI-state indicates: the network device indicates one specific TCI-state through the TCI field in the DCI. For example, the value of the TCI field in the DCI sent by the network device to the terminal device is 000, which indicates that 000 corresponding TCI-states are used for the data transmission beam. The reference signal included in the QCL-Info of type typeD in the TCI-state is a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) with index #1, and indicates that the beam used for data transmission is the same as the reception beam corresponding to the CSI-RS with index # 1. The receiving beam corresponding to the CSI-RS with index #1 may be determined through a beam measurement procedure and is known to the terminal device. Therefore, through the specific value of the TCI field, the terminal device can determine the receiving beam corresponding to the data transmission beam, and thus receive data by using the corresponding receiving beam. It should be noted that the two ways described herein for TCI-state and TCI state may be interchanged.

3. spatial relationship (for indicating uplink beam)

In the current protocol, the transmission beam for uplink transmission is indicated by a spatial relationship, which functions like a TCI-state to inform the terminal device what transmission beam is used for uplink transmission.

The Spatial relationship also needs to be configured by RRC first. The configuration structure is as follows:

the method comprises the identification of spatial relationship, cell identification, target reference signal resource, path loss measurement reference signal, power control parameter and the like. Wherein, the target reference signal resource (which may be any one of SRS, synchronization signal block and physical broadcast channel block (SSB), and CSI-RS) is used to indicate a corresponding uplink beam. If the spatial relationship #1 is adopted for uplink transmission, and the spatial relationship #1 includes a target reference signal resource #2, it indicates that the transmission beam adopting the uplink transmission is the transmission beam or the reception beam of the target reference signal. For example, when the target reference signal resource is an uplink resource SRS, it indicates that a transmission beam used for uplink transmission is a transmission beam of the SRS (the transmission beam of the SRS is known). For another example, the target reference signal resource is a downlink resource such as an SSB or a CSI-RS, and indicates that a transmission beam used for uplink transmission is a reception beam of the SSB or a reception beam of the CSI-RS (the reception beam of the SSB or the reception beam of the CSI-RS is known).

The network device may configure a plurality of spatial relationships for the terminal device. One of which is then activated by the MAC CE for the corresponding data transmission. Uplink transmission includes a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), an SRS, a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), and the like, and all of them require corresponding spatial correlation. The spatial relationship of the PUCCH is indicated by MAC CE signaling. The spatial relationship of SRS is also indicated by MAC CE signaling. When the PUSCH is transmitted, a specific SRS is associated, and the transmission is performed by using the spatial relationship of the SRS.

4. Antenna panel (panel)

Panel refers to an antenna Panel, and may be an antenna Panel of a network device or an antenna Panel of a terminal device. An antenna panel typically has one or more antennas arranged in an array of antennas for beamforming to form analog beams. The antenna array may generate analog beams pointing in different directions. That is, multiple analog beams can be formed on each antenna panel, and the beam measurement can be used to determine which analog beam is the best for the antenna panel. The terminal device may be provided with a plurality of antenna panels, which may be distributed at different locations and oriented in different directions, which may ensure that at least one antenna panel is oriented towards the network device and may perform data transmission with the network device, no matter which direction the terminal device is oriented. The terminal equipment can simultaneously turn on all the antenna panels for transmission. Or, in order to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device, the terminal device may also perform transmission by using only a single antenna panel at a time, and other unused antenna panels may be turned off. Whether the antenna panel of the terminal device is in the open state or the closed state generally needs to be notified to the network device, that is, the state information of the antenna panel generally needs to be interacted between the terminal device and the network device.

In the embodiments of the present application, the antenna panel means an antenna panel of a terminal device unless otherwise specified. The antenna panel may also be represented by an antenna panel index (panel index) or the like. In addition, the antenna panel may also be implicitly represented by other ways, for example, the antenna panel may also be characterized by an antenna port (e.g., CSI-RS port, SRS port, demodulation reference signal (DMRS) port, phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS) port, CRS port, time and frequency Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) port, SSB port, etc.) or an antenna port group, may also be characterized by a resource (e.g., CSI-RS resource, SRS resource, DMRS resource, PTRS resource, cell Reference Signal (CRS) resource, TRS resource, SSB resource, etc.) or a resource group, may also be characterized by a channel (e.g., PUCCH, PUSCH, physical random access channel (qch, PRACH), PDSCH, physical downlink control channel (qcch, PDCCH), physical broadcast channel (PBCH, etc.), may also be configured by a channel, PBCH, pilot channel, etc.), or a beam, or a channel-pilot-channel (tcb-b) configured in the antenna port. It can also be characterized by a set of beams, a set of QCLs, a set of TCI-states, a set of spatial relationships, etc. That is, the antenna panel/panel designation described in this application may be replaced with a designation not described above.

The beams to which the present application relates are described from the perspective of the network device, i.e. the beams to which the present application relates are the transmit beams or receive beams of the network device. For example, the network device instructs the first terminal device to switch to beam 1. The first terminal device may determine beam 2 to be employed by the first terminal device based on beam 1. For example, beam1 is a transmission beam of the network device, and beam 2 is a reception beam of the first terminal device, and is used for receiving signals or data transmitted by the network device through beam 1. The first terminal device switches to beam 2. For convenience of description, it is simply referred to as the first terminal device switching to beam1 in this application.

Fig. 1B is a schematic view of a scenario of a packet management method according to an embodiment of the present application. Referring to fig. 1B, a plurality of users on a bus move in the same direction at the same speed. The network device transmits data to the plurality of users (i.e., the plurality of terminal devices) using the same transmission beam. Alternatively, the network device receives data for the multiple users using the same receive beam.

While the multiple users are almost simultaneously beam switching due to the movement of the bus. The network device may perform beam indication at a packet level through the scheme provided in this application, that is, the multiple users may be divided into the same packet. In the technical scheme of the application, the network equipment indicates the beam adopted by the user in the group, thereby realizing the beam indication at the group level and saving the signaling overhead. And meanwhile, the problem of delay caused by the fact that the network equipment performs beam indication independently for each user is avoided. Secondly, the terminal device can stay in the current grouping or switch to other groupings based on the beam measurement result, so that the grouping maintenance is realized, and the beam indication of the network device at the grouping level is facilitated.

The technical solution of the present application is described below with reference to specific embodiments.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a group management method according to an embodiment of the present application. Referring to fig. 2, the method includes:

201. the first terminal device sends the beam measurement result of the first terminal device to the network device. Accordingly, the network device receives beam measurements from the first terminal device.

The beam measurements include beam measurements of one or more beams.

In some embodiments, the first terminal device may measure beams and select one or more beams of better beam quality from the measured beams. The first terminal device may report beam measurements of the one or more beams.

Optionally, the first terminal device is in a first group, and the network device may allocate a set of dedicated resources for packet beam measurement for the terminal devices in the first group. The terminal device may measure resources included in the dedicated resource set for packet beam measurement (that is, may be understood as measuring reference signals on beams corresponding to resources in the dedicated resource set for packet beam measurement), and report a corresponding beam measurement result.

202. The first terminal equipment performs any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result: stay in the first packet where the first terminal device is located, or switch from the first packet to the second packet.

Wherein the first packet includes one or more terminal devices, and the first packet includes the first terminal device, that is, the first terminal device is in the first packet. The first packet corresponds to a first beam. The network device communicates with the terminal devices of the first packet via the first beam. The second packet includes one or more terminal devices. A second beam corresponding to the second packet. The network device communicates with the terminal devices of the second packet via the second beam. The terminal devices included in the first packet do not overlap with the terminal devices included in the second packet.

In the above 201, the beams measured by the first terminal device include a first beam and a second beam. Optionally, the beam measurement result reported by the first terminal device may include a beam measurement result of the first beam and/or a beam measurement result of the second beam.

Optionally, if the first terminal device stays in the first group in which the first terminal device is located, the signal quality of the first beam is better than the signal quality of the second beam, or a difference between the signal quality of the first beam and the signal quality of the second beam is smaller than a first threshold. For example, the RSRP of the first beam is greater than the RSRP of the second beam. Alternatively, the RSRP of the first beam is 2dB (decibel) less than the RSRP of the second beam.

Optionally, if the first terminal device switches from the first packet to the second packet, the signal quality of the second beam is better than the signal quality of the first beam, or the difference between the signal quality of the first beam and the signal of the second beam is greater than the first threshold. For example, the RSRP of the second beam is greater than the RSRP of the first beam. Alternatively, the RSRP of the first beam is 10dB less than the RSRP of the second beam.

It should be noted that, optionally, the signal quality of the beam may be characterized by RSRP, reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) of the signal, or other parameters of the signal, and the present application is not limited thereto. The following describes the technical solution of the present application by taking an example of characterizing the signal quality of a beam by RSRP of a signal.

In a possible implementation manner, the beam measurement result is a beam measurement result reported by the first terminal device at one time. In this implementation manner, optionally, the first terminal device stays in the first group in which the first terminal device is located according to the beam measurement result, and specifically includes any one of the following items:

1. if the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement result is the same as the first beam, the first terminal device stays in the first group where the first terminal device is located;

specifically, the first terminal device measures a beam and reports a beam measurement result. If the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results is the same as the first beam, it is known that the first beam corresponding to the first packet in which the first terminal device is currently located is the beam with the best signal quality. Thus, the first terminal device may stay in the first packet.

Optionally, the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results is the same as the first beam, which may be understood as that the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results is the first beam.

It should be noted that, the above describes a scheme in which the first terminal device stays in the first group by taking the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results as an example. The above implementation may also be replaced by: and if the beams with the RSRP larger than the second threshold value in the beam measurement result comprise the first beams, the first terminal equipment stays in the first group in which the first terminal equipment is located. The present application is not limited in particular. Alternatively, the size of the second threshold may be set with reference to the channel quality. For example, the second threshold is-80 dB, -100dB.

The number of the beams with RSRP greater than the second threshold in the beam measurement result may be one or more, and when only one beam with RSRP greater than the second threshold is present, the beam with RSRP greater than the second threshold is the first beam. When there are a plurality of beams whose RSRP is greater than the second threshold, the beams whose RSRP is greater than the second threshold include the first beam.

2. And if the difference value between the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results and the RSRP of the first beam is smaller than or equal to a first threshold value, the first terminal equipment stays in the first group where the first terminal equipment is located.

The RSRP of the first beam may be RSRP obtained by the first terminal device measuring the first beam in the process of beam measurement in 201 and reporting the beam measurement result, or RSRP obtained by the first terminal device measuring the first beam before 201.

Optionally, the magnitude of the first threshold may be set with reference to channel quality, filter coefficient, and other factors. For example, the first threshold is 2dB.

The first terminal device stays in the first packet if the maximum RSRP of the beam measurements is not more than the RSRP of the first beam (e.g., the maximum RSRP of the beam measurements is 2dB greater than the RSRP of the first beam).

It should be noted that, the above describes a scheme in which the first terminal device stays in the first group by taking the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results as an example. The above implementation may also be replaced by: and if the difference value between the RSRP of the beam with the RSRP larger than the second threshold value in the beam measurement result and the RSRP of the first beam is smaller than or equal to the first threshold value, the first terminal equipment stays in the first group. The specific application is not limiting. Please refer to the related introduction above for the second threshold.

The number of beams of the beam measurement result whose RSRP is greater than the second threshold may be one or more. When only one beam with the RSRP larger than the second threshold value exists, the first terminal device determines the difference value of the RSRP of the beam with the RSRP larger than the second threshold value and the RSRP of the first beam, and then determines whether to stay in the first group. The first terminal device may select one of the beams when there are a plurality of beams whose RSRP is greater than the second threshold. For example, the first terminal device selects the beam with the largest RSRP. The first terminal device determines the difference between the RSRP of the selected beam and the RSRP of the first beam and then determines whether to stay in the first packet.

Note that the first terminal device is in the first group. The first terminal device may communicate with the network device using a first beam corresponding to the first packet.

It should be noted that the first terminal device is in the first group, and the network device performs communication with the first terminal device by using the first beam corresponding to the first group. Optionally, if the first terminal device switches to the second packet, the first terminal device may switch to the second beam, so that the network device schedules the first terminal device through the second beam. Specifically, the network device may determine, through the beam measurement result, that the first terminal device is switched to the second beam, and schedule the first terminal device through the second beam.

In another possible implementation manner, the beam measurement result is a beam measurement result reported by the first terminal device N times, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. In this implementation, optionally, the switching, by the first terminal device, from the first packet to the second packet according to the beam measurement result specifically includes any one of the following:

1. if the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device for N consecutive times is different from the first beam, and the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device for N consecutive times is a second beam, switching the first terminal device from the first group to the second group;

for example, the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported continuously by the first terminal device for 10 times is different from the first beam, and the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported continuously by the first terminal device for 10 times is the second beam. The first terminal device may determine that the signal quality of the second beam is better and, therefore, the first terminal device may switch from the first packet to the second packet.

Alternatively, the size of N may be set with reference to factors such as the beam measurement period and the packet moving speed. For example, the larger the beam measurement period, the greater the packet movement speed, and N may be smaller. For example, N equals 5.

The above description is given by taking the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP among the beam measurement results as an example. The above implementation may be replaced by: and if the beam with the RSRP larger than the second threshold value in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal equipment for N times continuously is different from the first beam, and the beam with the RSRP larger than the second threshold value in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal equipment for N times continuously comprises the second beam, switching the first terminal equipment from the first group to the second group.

And one or more beams with the RSRP larger than the second threshold value in the beam measurement result reported each time can be used. When only one beam with the RSRP larger than the second threshold is used, the beam with the RSRP larger than the second threshold is a second beam. When the beam whose RSRP is greater than the second threshold value is included in the plurality, the beam whose RSRP is greater than the second threshold value includes the second beam.

2. And if the difference value between the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal equipment every time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal equipment for N times continuously and the RSRP of the first beam is larger than a first threshold value, and the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal equipment every time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal equipment for N times continuously is a second beam, switching the first terminal equipment from the first group to the second group.

For example, the difference between the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device for 10 consecutive times and the RSRP of the first beam is large, and the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device for 10 consecutive times is the second beam. The first terminal device may determine that the signal quality of the second beam is better and, therefore, the first terminal device may switch from the first packet to the second packet.

The above description is given by taking the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP among the beam measurement results as an example. The above implementation may be replaced by: and if the difference value between the RSRP of the beam with the RSRP larger than the second threshold value in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal equipment for N times continuously and every time and the RSRP of the first beam is larger than the first threshold value, and the beam with the RSRP larger than the second threshold value in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal equipment for N times continuously comprises the second beam, switching the first terminal equipment from the first group to the second group. For the values of N, refer to the related descriptions above.

And one or more beams with the RSRP larger than the second threshold value in the beam measurement result reported each time can be used. When only one beam with the RSRP larger than the second threshold value is provided, the beam with the RSRP larger than the second threshold value is a second beam. When there are a plurality of beams whose RSRP is greater than the second threshold, the beams whose RSRP is greater than the second threshold include the second beam. The first terminal device may select one beam from them, e.g. the first terminal device selects the second beam. The first terminal device determines that the difference between the RSRP of the second beam and the RSRP of the first beam is greater than a first threshold, and switches from the first packet to the second packet.

Therefore, in the technical scheme of the present application, after the first terminal device reports the beam measurement result each time, the first terminal device may stay in the current group or switch to another group based on the beam measurement result. For the case that the first terminal device stays in the group, the terminal device may stay in the current group based on the reported beam measurement result. And for the case that the first terminal device switches the packet, the terminal device may switch to other packets based on the beam measurement results reported N times.

It should be noted that, if the first terminal device stays in the first packet, the network device may communicate with the first terminal device through the first beam. If the first terminal device switches to the second packet and the first terminal device can switch to the second beam, the network device can communicate with the network device via the second beam.

In this application, after the first terminal device reports the beam measurement result, the first terminal device may stay in the current group or switch to another group. That is, the packet to which the first terminal device belongs takes effect after the first terminal device reports the beam measurement result. It may be specifically referred to as a mode in which reporting the beam measurement results is effective.

It should be noted that, optionally, if the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device for N consecutive times is different from the first beam, and the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device for N consecutive times is not all the second beam, the first terminal device exits the group management mode. Or, if the difference value between the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device for N consecutive times is greater than the first threshold value, and the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device for N consecutive times is not all the second beam, the first terminal device exits the group management mode. After the first terminal device exits the management mode, the network device may separately send a beam indication to the first terminal device, so that the first terminal device switches to a corresponding beam.

Optionally, the first terminal device performs any one of the following operations based on the beam measurement result: the first terminal device may send the indication information to the network device after staying in the first packet, or switching from the first packet to the second packet, or exiting the packet management mode. For the case that the first terminal device stays in the first group, the indication information is used for indicating that the group where the first terminal device is located is unchanged. The indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device to switch to the second packet in case the first terminal device switches from the first packet to the second packet. For the case where the first terminal device exits the packet management mode, the indication information is used to indicate that the first terminal device exits the packet management mode. The packet management mode includes: the network device groups the terminal devices managed by the network device and performs beam indication at a group level. For the terminal device, the terminal device performs any one of the following operations in the group management mode: stay in the current packet, or switch to another packet, or exit the packet management mode.

Optionally, the network device may send, to the first terminal device, indication information for indicating that the first terminal device is allowed to switch the packet by itself, or for indicating that the first terminal device exits the packet management mode. Accordingly, the first terminal device may receive the indication information from the network device.

It should be noted that the technical solution of the present application is applicable to the indication of the uplink beam or the downlink beam. For example, the first beam and the second beam are downlink beams, and for the network device, the first beam and the second beam are transmission beams. For example, the first beam and the second beam are uplink beams, and for the network device, the first beam and the second beam are receive beams.

In some implementations, the embodiment shown in fig. 2 also includes 201a and 201b.201a and 201b may be performed before 201.

201a, the network equipment sends grouping information to the first terminal equipment. Accordingly, the first terminal device receives the packet information from the network device.

The group information is used to indicate that the first terminal device belongs to the first group. Optionally, the network device sends the grouping information to the first terminal device through MAC CE or RRC signaling.

For example, the group information includes an identification of the first terminal device and a group identification of the first group. The first terminal device may determine that the first terminal device belongs to the first group through the group information.

Specifically, the network device sends different beam resources and configures reporting measurement parameters for a plurality of terminal devices. For example, the measurement parameters include a beam index and/or an RSRP of the beam. The plurality of terminal devices includes a first terminal device. The plurality of terminal devices may perform beam measurement based on the measurement and report the beam measurement result. Optionally, the network device may configure the dedicated resource set for packet beam measurement for a plurality of terminal devices. The plurality of terminal devices measure the resources in the dedicated resource set for packet beam measurement (i.e. measure the signals of the beams corresponding to the resources in the dedicated resource set for packet beam measurement), and obtain the beam measurement result. The network device may group the plurality of terminal devices based on the beam measurement results reported by the plurality of terminal devices, to obtain group information of the plurality of groups. For example, the grouping information of each group includes an identification of each group and an identification of the terminal device included in each group. After the network device determines the packet information of the plurality of packets, the network device may transmit the corresponding packet information to the plurality of terminal devices, respectively.

Optionally, each of the plurality of packets corresponds to a beam. While one beam may correspond to multiple packets, that is, different packets may correspond to the same beam.

In one possible implementation, each of the plurality of groups corresponds to one beam, and the terminal devices of each group use the same beam. Different groups correspond to different beams. For example, the beams with the largest RSRP among the beam measurement results reported by the terminal devices in the same group are the same.

For example, the Beam index of the maximum RSRP in the Beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device is Beam 0, and the network device may divide the first terminal device into group 0. That is, the group0 corresponds to Beam 0, and the terminal devices of the group0 all use the Beam corresponding to Beam 0 to perform communication.

The technical solution of the present application is described below by taking an example that each group corresponds to one beam and different groups correspond to different beams.

Optionally, the grouping information of different groups can be distinguished by group identifiers; alternatively, the network device transmits the packet information of different packets through different scrambling sequences, i.e., distinguishes the packet information of different packets through different scrambling sequences.

Optionally, before the network device groups the terminal devices, the network device may notify the first terminal device to perform the grouping management mode through signaling. The signaling may be MAC CE or RRC signaling. For example, the signaling includes initial packet information of the first terminal device, an initial beam of the first terminal device, an effective time of the packet management mode, and a minimum time of beam switching.

The initial grouping information of the first terminal device is used for grouping corresponding to the first terminal device. The initial beam of the first terminal device is used to indicate the beam that the first terminal device can employ. The minimum time for the beam switch comprises the time difference between the switching of the beam by the first terminal device.

201b, the network device sends the first corresponding relation to the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first corresponding relation from the network device.

The first correspondence is a correspondence between one or more packets managed by the network device and one or more beams.

Specifically, after the network device determines a plurality of packets and beams corresponding to the plurality of packets, the network device may send the first corresponding relationship to the first terminal device. The first terminal device may maintain the first correspondence such that the first terminal device either stays in the first packet itself or switches from the first packet to the second packet. The first corresponding relation maintenance of the first terminal device is realized, and the first terminal device can stay in the current group or be switched to other groups conveniently. Therefore, the network equipment can conveniently perform beam indication at a packet level, and the overhead of indication signaling is saved.

Two possible representations of the first correspondence are described below.

The expression method is as follows: the first correspondence includes a correspondence between an identification of the plurality of packets and a beam index of the plurality of beams. For example, the first correspondence may be represented as table 1:

TABLE 1

Grouping identification GroupID	Beam index (Beam index)
		Group0	Beam0
Group1	Beam1
		Group2	Beam2
……	……
		GroupK	BeamM

As shown in table 1, one packet id corresponds to one beam index. I.e. one beam for each group and different beams for different groups. For example, as shown in table 1, group0 corresponds to CRI0, that is, all the terminal devices in Group0 adopt beams corresponding to CRI 0. Group1 corresponds to Beam1, that is, all the terminal devices in Group1 use the Beam corresponding to Beam 1.

In this application, a beam may be a downlink beam or an uplink beam.

Optionally, the present application is applied to a scenario of indication of a downlink beam, and for a downlink beam, the network device may send the CSI-RS resource on the downlink beam, that is, the network device sends the CSI-RS resource on the CSI-RS resource through the downlink beam. Therefore, the network device may indirectly indicate the downlink beam through the identification of the CSI-RS resource.

In this implementation, the first correspondence may be expressed as a correspondence between identifiers of the plurality of groups and a plurality of CSI-RS resource identifiers (CRIs). For example, the first correspondence may be represented by the following table 2:

TABLE 2

Grouping identification GroupID	CSI-RS resource identifier (CSI-RS resource indicator)
		Group0	CRI0
Group1	CRI1
		Group2	CRI2
……	……
		GroupK	CRIM

For example, as shown in table 2, CRI0 is an identification of CSI-RS resource 0, corresponding to beam 0.CRI1 is the identifier of CSI-RS resource 1, corresponding to beam 1.CRI2 is an identification of CSI-RS resource 2, corresponding to beam 2.

Optionally, the present application is applied to a scenario of indication of a downlink beam, and for a downlink beam, the network device may also send the SSB resource on the downlink beam, that is, the network device sends the SSB on the SSB resource through the downlink beam. Therefore, the network device may indirectly indicate the downlink beam through the identification of the SSB resource.

In this implementation, the first corresponding relationship may be expressed as a corresponding relationship between identifiers of a plurality of packets and SSB resource identifiers (SSBRIs). For example, the first correspondence may be represented as the following table 3:

TABLE 3

Grouping identification GroupID	SSB resource identifier (SSB resource indicator)
		Group0	SSBRI0
Group1	SSBRI1
		Group2	SSBRI2
……	……
		GroupK	SSBRIM

Optionally, the present application is applied to a scenario of indication of an uplink beam, for an uplink beam, the network device may receive the SRS resource on the uplink beam, that is, the network device receives the SRS signal in the SRS resource through the uplink beam. Therefore, the network device may indicate the uplink beam through the identification interval of the SRS resource.

In this implementation, the first corresponding relationship may be represented as a corresponding relationship between identifiers of a plurality of packets and a plurality of SRS Resource Identifiers (SRIs). For example, table 1 above can be expressed as the following table 3:

TABLE 3

Grouping identification GroupID	SRS resource identification (CSI-RS resource indicator)
		Group0	SRI0
Group1	SRI1
		Group2	SRI2
……	……
		GroupK	SRIM

The second expression mode: the first correspondence includes a correspondence between scrambling sequence values corresponding to the plurality of packets and beam indices of the plurality of beams. For example, the scrambling sequence value corresponding to each packet may be a radio network temporary identity identifier (RNTI) value of the user in the network. The first correspondence may be represented as the following table 4:

TABLE 4

Temporary identity authentication Value (RNTI Value) of user in network	Beam index
		Value0	Beam0
Value1	Beam1
		……	……
ValueK	BeamM

As shown in table 4, each scrambling sequence value corresponds to a beam index and each scrambling sequence value corresponds to a packet. I.e. one beam for each group and different beams for different groups.

For other representations of the beam index, reference may be made to the above-mentioned related introduction. Optionally, when the present application is applied to a downlink beam indication scenario, the first corresponding relationship may be represented as: the correspondence between scrambling sequence values corresponding to the plurality of groups and the plurality of CRIs, or the correspondence between scrambling sequence values corresponding to the plurality of groups and the plurality of SSBRIs. When the application is applied to the uplink beam indication scenario, the first corresponding relationship may also be expressed as: a correspondence between scrambling sequence values corresponding to the plurality of packets and the plurality of SRIs.

Therefore, in 201b above, after the first terminal device obtains the first corresponding relationship, optionally, 202 above specifically includes: the first terminal device stays in the first packet or switches from the first packet to the second packet based on the beam measurement and the first correspondence.

For example, the first terminal device may determine a beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results, and determine a packet corresponding to the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP through the first correspondence relationship. Then, the first terminal device performs any of the following operations in conjunction with the manner shown in 202 above: stay in the first packet or switch from the first packet to the second packet. For example, the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results is the first beam, and the first terminal device determines that the first beam corresponds to the first packet through the first correspondence relationship. The first terminal device is in the first packet and the first terminal device may stay in the first packet.

Optionally, the embodiment shown in fig. 2 further includes 201c to 201e.201c to 201e may be performed before 201.

201c, the network device sends the first indication information to the first terminal device. The first indication information is used for indicating the terminal devices of the first group to respectively switch to the first beams. Correspondingly, the first terminal equipment receives the first indication information from the network equipment.

Specifically, the network device may obtain a beam measurement result reported by the terminal device of the first group, and determine that the signal quality of the first beam is better based on the beam measurement result reported by the terminal device of the first group. The network device may transmit first indication information to indicate that the terminal device of the first packet switches to the first beam. For example, as shown in fig. 1B, a plurality of users on a bus move in the same direction, and the plurality of users are users in the same group. The network equipment determines that the signal quality of the first beam is better according to the beam measurement results reported by the multiple users. The network device may instruct the plurality of users to switch to the first beam.

It should be noted that the first indication information may be multicast beam indication signaling, the terminal device of the first packet may receive the first indication information, and the terminal devices of other packets may also receive the first indication information. The first corresponding relation can be updated conveniently by other grouped terminal equipment, and therefore the first corresponding relation can be maintained by each grouped terminal equipment.

For example, as shown in fig. 3, different narrow beams in SSB0 correspond to different packets, and any packet under SSB0 may receive multicast beam indication signaling of other packets under SSB 0. Illustratively, the same scrambling sequence is used for multicast beam indication signaling under the same SSB, and the multicast beam indication signaling includes a packet identifier and a beam index indicated by the network device. Then multiple terminal devices of the same SSB may receive the multicast beam indication and update the first correspondence.

In some embodiments, the first indication information is carried in the first DCI, and for related description of the first DCI, refer to related descriptions of the embodiments shown in fig. 4 and fig. 5 below.

201d, the first terminal device switches to the first beam according to the first indication information.

Specifically, the first terminal device is currently in the first group, and the first group corresponds to the fifth beam. After the first terminal device receives the first indication information, the first terminal device may switch from the fifth beam to the first beam. Then, the first terminal device performs the procedure of 201e below, i.e. the first terminal device updates the first correspondence such that the first packet corresponds to the first beam.

For example, as shown in fig. 3, the first terminal device belongs to Group2, and CRI2 corresponds to Group 2. I.e. packet 2 corresponds to beam 2. The first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device of the first packet is switched to beam3. Thus, the first terminal device switches to beam3.

201e, the first terminal equipment updates the first corresponding relation according to the first indication information.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, beam3 corresponds to Beam3. Therefore, the first terminal device can update the above table 1 to the following table 5. As shown in table 5:

TABLE 5

Grouping identification GroupID	CSI-RS resource identification
		Group0	CRI0
Group1	CRI1
		Group2	CRI3
……	……
		GroupK	CRIM

Based on the 201e, optionally, the 201 specifically includes: the first terminal device performs any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result and the updated first correspondence relationship in 201 e: stay in the first packet or switch from the first packet to the second packet. That is, the first terminal device stays in the current packet or the handover packet with the first correspondence obtained last on the first terminal device.

Optionally, the embodiment shown in fig. 2 further includes 201f and 201g.201f and 201g may be performed after 201b.

201f, the network device sends second indication information to the first terminal device. The second indication information is used for indicating the terminal devices of the third group to switch to the third beams respectively. Correspondingly, the first terminal equipment receives second indication information from the network equipment.

In one possible implementation, the third packet is a packet other than the first packet, and the third beam is a beam other than the first beam.

201g, the first terminal equipment updates the first corresponding relation according to the second indication information.

For example, the first terminal device belongs to Group2, and the second indication information indicates that the terminal device of Group0 switches to beam5. The Beam index of Beam5 is Beam5. The first terminal device may update table 5 above resulting in table 6 below.

TABLE 6

Grouping identification GroupID	CSI-RS resource identification
		Group0	CRI5
Group1	CRI1
		Group2	CRI3
……	……
		GroupK	CRIM

It should be noted that the second indication information may be a multicast beam indication signaling, and is carried in DCI. For example, the second indication information is packet common downlink control information (GC DCI). The terminal device of the third group may receive the second indication information, and the terminal devices of other groups may also receive the second indication information. Therefore, the first corresponding relation can be updated conveniently by the grouped terminal equipment, and the first corresponding relation can be maintained by the grouped terminal equipment.

It should be noted that there is no fixed execution sequence between the 201f to 201g and the 201c to 201e, and the 201f to 201g may be executed first, and then the 201c to 201e may be executed; or, executing 201c to 201e first, and then executing 201f to 201g; alternatively, the steps 201f to 201g and the steps 201c to 201e are executed simultaneously according to the circumstances, and the present application is not limited thereto. The embodiment shown in fig. 2 is described by taking the first execution 201f to 201g and then the second execution 201c to 201e as an example.

Based on 201f to 201g, optionally, 201 specifically includes: the first terminal device performs any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result and the updated first corresponding relationship in 201 g: stay in the first packet or switch from the first packet to the second packet. That is, the first terminal device stays in the current packet or the handover packet with the first correspondence obtained last on the first terminal device.

In some implementations, the embodiment shown in fig. 2 also includes 201h.201h may be performed before 201 a.

201h, the first terminal equipment sends the capability information to the network equipment. Accordingly, the network device receives capability information from the first terminal device.

Optionally, the capability information includes at least one of:

1. information whether the first terminal device supports the packet management mode.

2. The first terminal device supports a maximum number of maintained sets of correspondences between packets and beams.

For example, the first terminal device supports maintaining a correspondence between 10 packets and 10 beams.

3. Beam switching delay of the first terminal device in the packet management mode.

The beam switching delay is the time required for the first terminal device to receive the multicast packet beam indication and perform the beam switching.

4. And the first terminal equipment takes the packet into effect in the packet management mode.

The packet validation delay refers to that the first terminal equipment starts to validate after a certain time from staying in the current packet or switching to other packets. For example, the first terminal device determines to switch to the second packet at time T1, and then at times T1+ S it can be understood that the first terminal device belongs to the second packet. S may be understood as the duration of the packet validation delay.

5. Information whether the first terminal device supports the packet auto-validate mode.

The automatic packet validation mode is that the terminal device determines to stay in the current packet or switch to other packets by itself and belongs to the corresponding packet based on the determination result.

6. Information whether the first terminal device supports a packet management mode for multiple carrier aggregation.

In some embodiments, if the first terminal device stays in the first group, optionally, the embodiment shown in fig. 2 further includes 203 to 205. 203 to 205 may be performed after 202.

203. And the network equipment sends the third indication information to the first terminal equipment. The third indication information is used for indicating the terminal devices of the first group to switch to the fourth beams respectively. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the third indication information from the network device.

Specifically, the terminal device of the first group may perform beam measurement again and report the beam measurement result. The network device may determine the fourth beam based on the beam measurement reported by the terminal device of the first group. I.e. the signal quality of the fourth beam is better for the terminal devices of the first group. For example, all beams corresponding to the maximum RSRP among the beam measurement results reported by the terminal device of the first group are fourth beams. The network device may determine a fourth beam and instruct the terminal device of the first packet to switch to the fourth beam.

204. And the first terminal equipment is switched to the fourth beam according to the third indication information.

It can be seen that in 202, the first terminal device stays in the first group. And when the beam corresponding to the first packet changes, the first terminal device can switch to the fourth beam based on the third indication information. The beam indication is convenient for the network equipment at a packet level, thereby saving the indication signaling overhead.

205. And the first terminal equipment updates the first corresponding relation according to the third indication information.

205, similar to 201e, refer to the related description of 201e, and are not described herein again.

In some embodiments, if the first terminal device switches from the first packet to the second packet, optionally, the embodiment shown in fig. 2 further includes 206 to 208. 206-208 may be performed after 202.

206. And the network equipment sends the fourth indication information to the first terminal equipment. The fourth indication information is used for indicating the terminal devices of the second group to switch to the fifth beams respectively.

206, and 203, please refer to the related description of 203, which is not repeated herein.

207. And the first terminal equipment is switched to the fifth beam according to the fourth indication information.

It can be seen that in 202, the first terminal device switches from the first packet to the second packet. When the first terminal device changes the beam corresponding to the second packet, the first terminal device may switch to a fifth beam corresponding to the second packet based on the fourth indication information of the network device. So that the network device can perform beam indication at a packet level, thereby saving indication signaling overhead.

208. And the first terminal equipment updates the first corresponding relation according to the fourth indication information.

208 are similar to 201e, and reference may be made to the related description of 201e, which is not repeated herein.

In the embodiment of the application, the first terminal equipment sends a beam measurement result of the first terminal equipment to the network equipment; then, the first terminal device performs any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result: stay in the first packet where the first terminal device is located, or switch from the first packet to the second packet. Wherein the first packet includes one or more terminal devices, the first packet corresponds to a first beam, the second packet includes one or more terminal devices, the second packet corresponds to a second beam, and the terminal devices included in the first packet do not overlap with the terminal devices included in the second packet. Therefore, in the technical solution provided in the present application, the first terminal device may perform any one of the following operations based on the beam measurement result: and staying in the first group where the first terminal equipment is positioned, or switching from the first group to the second group, thereby realizing the maintenance of the groups. And the indication is not required to be performed by network equipment, so that the signaling overhead is saved. Furthermore, the network device can indicate the beam corresponding to each group to the terminal device of each group, that is, the network device can indicate the beam at the group level, so that the network device can efficiently indicate the beam. Signaling overhead is further saved, and the delay problem caused by independently carrying out beam indication for each user is reduced.

It should be noted that the embodiment shown in fig. 2 illustrates that the first terminal device sends the beam measurement result of the first terminal device to the network device; the first terminal device then stays in the first grouping or switches to the scheme of the second grouping based on the beam measurement results. In practice, the first terminal device may perform beam measurements resulting in beam measurements, and then the first terminal device may stay in the first packet or switch to the second packet based on the beam measurements. Optionally, the first terminal device sends the beam measurement result to the network device.

The following describes a process of a network device performing multicast beam indication to a terminal device of a first packet and a process of activating one or more TCI states for the terminal device of the first packet in conjunction with the embodiments shown in fig. 4 and 5.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a group management method according to an embodiment of the present application. Referring to fig. 4, the method includes:

401. the network device transmits the first DCI to the first terminal device. The first DCI is to indicate a first TCI status, which is to indicate a first beam.

Wherein the first DCI is a first GC DCI for multicast beam indication.

For example, the network device transmits different beam resources (e.g., different CSI-RS beams), and configures measurement parameters and the like for the terminal devices of the first packet. And the terminal equipment of the first group carries out beam measurement according to the measurement parameters configured by the network equipment and reports the beam measurement result. The network device determines a first beam based on the beam measurement result reported by the terminal device of the first group. I.e. the signal quality of the first beam is better. The network device may transmit a first GC DCI to the first terminal device, the first GC DCI being used to indicate a first TCI state, the first TCI state being used to indicate a first beam. The first terminal device may receive and parse the first GC DCI to determine that the first packet corresponds to the first beam. The first terminal device may switch to the first beam.

It should be noted that the first DCI may be used to indicate a first TCI state corresponding to the first packet, and may also be used to indicate a TCI state corresponding to another packet, which is not limited in this application.

In one possible implementation, the first DCI employs a dedicated DCI format. The network device designs a dedicated DCI format to generate a first DCI. Optionally, the first DCI includes at least one of: a distinguishing type field, a Group identification (Group ID) field, a physical downlink control channel to automatic hybrid automatic repeat request (PDCCH-to-HARQ) time indication field, a TCI state indication field, and a PUCCH resource indication field.

The distinguishing type field is used to distinguish a beam type. For example, the first DCI indicates an uplink beam or a downlink beam. The distinguishing type field may have a length of 1 bit.

The packet identification field is used to distinguish which packet or packets the first DCI is used for. For example, the first DCI includes information of one or more packets. The information of different packets is distinguished by packet identification or field order position. Alternatively, the information of different packets is distinguished by different scrambling sequences.

The PDCCH-to-HARQ time indication field is used to indicate a time interval between a time when the network device sends the first DCI and a time when the first terminal device performs feedback on the first DCI.

It should be noted that the time interval may also be configured by the network device through other signaling.

Two possible indication modes of the PDCCH-to-HARQ time indication field are described below.

A. The PDCCH-to-HARQ time indication field is used to indicate a feedback time index.

The network device configures a series of feedback times for the first terminal device, and the network device may indicate one of the feedback times through a PDCCH-to-HARQ time indication field.

B. And the PDCCH-to-HARQ time indication field directly indicates a time interval from the time when the network equipment sends the first DCI to the time when the first terminal equipment feeds back the first DCI.

The TCI status indication field is used to indicate the TCI status corresponding to one or more packets. For example, for a first packet, the TCI status indication field is used to indicate that the first packet corresponds to a first TCI status. The first TCI state corresponds to a first beam.

The PUCCH resource indication field is used to indicate a PUCCH resource employed by the first terminal device for transmitting the feedback message for the first DCI.

It should be noted that there are two possible configurations of PUCCH resources for transmitting the feedback message with respect to the first DCI. In a possible implementation manner, the first terminal device may directly transmit the feedback message by using a PUCCH resource in a PUCCH resource set (PUCCH-resource set) in the PUCCH configuration. In another possible implementation, the network device configures a PUCCH resource set (PUCCH-ResourceSet) specifically for multicast beam indication signaling feedback. And the first terminal equipment transmits the feedback message through the PUCCH resource in the PUCCH resource set.

In another possible implementation, the first DCI uses the current DCI format. For example, the network device may implement the multicast indication beam by modifying the definition of the partial field using the current DCI _ format2_0, DCI _ format2_1, DCI _ format2_3, or DCI _ format2_6. The scrambling method may adopt slot format indicator RNTI (SFI-RNTI), interrupt RNTI (INT-RNTI), SRS transmit power control RNTI (TPC-SRS-RNTI), or power saving RNTI (PS-RNTI).

For example, the first DCI is in a format of DCI format2_0, and the network device scrambles the first DCI with the SFI-RNTI, which may be used to indicate a first beam corresponding to the first packet. The network equipment redefines a slot format indicator (slot indicator) field with a variable length into fields such as a packet identification (Group ID) field, a PDCCH-to-HARQ time indication field, a TCI state indication field and a PUCCH resource indication field. For functional introduction of specific fields, refer to the related introduction.

It should be noted that the TCI states respectively corresponding to one or more packets indicated by the first DCI may take effect P slots or P symbols after the network device transmits the first DCI. P is an integer greater than or equal to 1, P may be determined by the network device, and the length of the slot or the length of the symbol may be determined by a reference subcarrier spacing (reference SCS) or a default subcarrier spacing (default SCS) configured by the network device.

In some embodiments, the first terminal device may feed back to the network device whether the first DCI is successfully received. Thereby improving reliability. It should be noted that, if the first terminal device successfully receives the first DCI, it may be understood that the first terminal device receives the first DCI, and successfully decodes the first DCI. If the decoding fails, it can be understood that the first terminal device fails to receive the first DCI.

Two possible feedback approaches are described below.

In the first implementation manner, if the first terminal device fails to receive the first DCI, the first terminal device feeds back a Negative Acknowledgement (NACK) to the network device; and if the first terminal equipment successfully receives the first DCI, the first terminal equipment does not feed back any message to the network equipment, so that the feedback signaling overhead is reduced.

In the second implementation manner, if the first terminal equipment fails to receive the first DCI, the first terminal equipment feeds back NACK to the network equipment; if the first terminal device successfully receives the first DCI, the first terminal device feeds back an Acknowledgement (ACK) to the network device, thereby further improving reliability.

It should be noted that each terminal device may occupy one PUCCH resource, or may occupy multiple PUCCH resources, and different terminal devices may multiplex the same PUCCH resource, thereby improving resource utilization.

Based on the second implementation manner, optionally, the embodiment shown in fig. 4 further includes 402, and 402 may be executed after 401.

402. The first terminal device sends a first feedback message to the network device. The first feedback message is used for indicating that the first DCI is successfully received. Accordingly, the network device receives a first feedback message from the first terminal device.

For example, the first feedback message is ACK, which is used to indicate that the first DCI reception is successful.

Optionally, in 401, the first TCI state is one of TCI states activated by the network device for the first terminal device.

In some embodiments, the network device may activate one or more TCI states for the first terminal device, such that the network device indicates to the first terminal device to activate one of the TCI states in 401 above. Optionally, the embodiment shown in fig. 4 further includes 401a and 401b.401a and 401b may be performed before 401.

401a, the network device sends the second DCI to the first terminal device. The second DCI is used to schedule a first mac ce for the first packet. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the second DCI from the network device.

And the second DCI is a second GC DCI and is used for scheduling the first MAC CE for the first packet. The first MAC CE is a GCMAC CE to activate one or more TCI states for the first packet.

For example, the network device sends different beam resources (e.g., different SSB beams), and configures reporting measurement parameters for the terminal device managed by the network device. And the terminal equipment managed by the network equipment carries out beam measurement and reports the beam measurement result. The network device activates one or more TCI states for the first packet based on the beam measurements. The beams corresponding to the one or more TCI states, respectively, may be beams with better signal quality. The network device may transmit a second GC DCI to the first terminal device for scheduling a GC MAC CE for the first packet. The GC MAC CE is used to activate one or more TCI states for the first packet.

In one possible implementation, the second DCI uses a dedicated DCI format. The network device designs a dedicated DCI format for transmitting the second DCI. Optionally, the second DCI includes at least one of:

1. a type distinguishing field.

The distinguishing type field is used to distinguish a beam type. For example, the second DCI indicates an uplink beam or a downlink beam. The differentiated type field may be 1 bit in length.

2. A packet identification field.

The packet identification field is used to distinguish which packet or packets the second DCI is used for.

For example, the second DCI includes information of one or more packets. The information of different packets is distinguished by packet identification or field order position. Alternatively, the information of different packets is distinguished by different scrambling sequences. The scheme of the present application is described here by taking the packet identification field as an example for indicating the first packet.

3. A frequency domain resource configuration field.

The frequency domain resource configuration field indicates frequency domain resources used by the scheduled first MAC CE.

4. A time domain resource configuration field.

The time domain resource configuration field indicates a time domain resource used by the scheduled first MAC CE.

5. A PUCCH resource indication field.

The PUCCH resource indication field is used to indicate a PUCCH resource used by the first terminal device for transmitting the feedback message for the first MAC CE. Optionally, a configuration manner of PUCCH resources for transmitting the feedback message for the first MAC CE is similar to the configuration manner of PUCCH resources for transmitting the feedback message for the first DCI, and please refer to the foregoing related description specifically, which is not described herein again.

6. A feedback time indication field.

The feedback time indication field is used to indicate a time interval from a time when the first MAC CE is received to a time when the feedback message is transmitted for the first MAC CE.

The indication manner of the feedback time indication field is similar to the indication manner of the PDCCH-to-HARQ time indication field, and specific reference may be made to the related description of the indication manner of the PDCCH-to-HARQ time indication field.

It should be noted that the time interval may also be indicated by the network device through other signaling.

In another possible implementation manner, the second DCI uses the current DCI format, for example, DCI _ format2_0, DCI _ format2_1, DCI _ format2_3, or DCI _ format2_6. The network device adopts the current DCI format and carries out multicast scheduling on the first MAC CE by modifying the definition of partial fields. The network equipment can transmit the second DCI by adopting scrambling modes such as SFI-RNTI, INT-RNTI, TPC-SRS-RNTI or PS-RNTI.

For example, the second DCI is in a format of DCI _ format2_0, and the network device scrambles the second DCI using the SFI-RNTI, which may be used to schedule the first MAC CE for the terminal device of the first packet. The network equipment redefines the variable-length slot format indication field into a packet identification field, a frequency domain resource configuration field, a time domain resource configuration field, a PUCCH resource indication field, a feedback time indication field and the like. For functional introduction of specific fields, refer to the related introduction.

The above-described implementation shows a scheme in which the first DCI and the second DCI are separately designed. In practical applications, the first DCI and the second DCI may be designed jointly, that is, the first DCI and the second DCI may adopt the same format. For the joint design approach, the first DCI and the second DCI may adopt the current DCI format and are obtained by adding or modifying fields in the DCI. Alternatively, the first DCI and the second DCI may adopt a dedicated DCI format, that is, the network device designs the first DCI and the second DCI by adopting the dedicated DCI format.

For the joint design manner, a possible implementation manner of the first DCI and the second DCI is described below, and optionally, the first DCI includes at least one of the following fields: a distinguishing type field, a grouping identification field, a function indication field, a PDCCH-to-HARQ time indication field, a TCI state indication field and a PUCCH resource indication field. The function indication field indicates that the first DCI is for a beam indication. The second DCI includes at least one of: the device comprises a distinguishing type field, a grouping identification field, a function indication field, a frequency domain resource configuration field, a time domain resource configuration field, a PUCCH resource indication field and a feedback time indication field. A function indication field in the second DCI indicates that the second DCI is for data scheduling. For the functions of the other fields, please refer to the related descriptions above. That is, the first terminal device may distinguish the function of the DCI by the function indication field and read the other fields of the DCI in conjunction with the function.

Note that the first DCI and the second DCI may not include a function indication field. For example, the first terminal device may determine that the first DCI is for the beam indication through other fields of the first DCI. And the first terminal equipment determines that the second DCI is used for data scheduling through other fields of the second DCI. For example, the first terminal device may be determined by a frequency domain resource configuration field in the first DCI. For example, if the frequency domain resource configuration field is all "0" or all "1", it indicates no data scheduling, i.e. the first DCI is used for beam indication.

401b, the network device sends the first MAC CE to the first terminal device. Accordingly, the first terminal device receives the first MAC CE. Accordingly, the first terminal device receives the first MAC CE from the network device.

The first MAC CE is to activate one or more TCI states for the first packet. Specifically, the first MAC CE may be a GC MAC CE for multicasting an indication of the one or more TCI statuses to the end devices of the first packet.

It should be noted that, if the number of the TCI states activated by the first MAC CE is 1, the TCI state is directly valid, and the indication process of 401 described above is not required. If the number of activated TCI states is greater than 1, the network device indicates one of the TCI states through the first DCI of 401.

In some embodiments, the first terminal device may feed back to the network device whether the first MAC CE is successfully received, thereby improving reliability. It should be noted that, the first terminal device successfully receives the first MAC CE may be understood as that the first terminal device receives the first MAC CE and successfully decodes the first MAC CE. If the decoding fails, it can be understood that the first terminal device fails to receive the first MAC CE.

Two possible feedback schemes are described below.

In the first implementation manner, if the first terminal equipment fails to receive the first MAC CE, the first terminal equipment feeds back NACK to the network equipment; and if the first terminal equipment successfully receives the first MAC CE, the first terminal equipment does not feed back any message to the network equipment, so that the feedback signaling overhead is reduced.

In the second implementation manner, if the first terminal equipment fails to receive the first MAC CE, the first terminal equipment feeds back NACK to the network equipment; and if the first terminal equipment successfully receives the first MAC CE, the first terminal equipment feeds back ACK to the network equipment. Thereby further improving reliability.

Based on the second implementation manner, optionally, the embodiment shown in fig. 4 further includes 401c.401c may be performed after 401b.

401c, the first terminal device sends a second feedback message to the network device. The second feedback message is used to indicate that the first MAC CE is successfully received.

For example, the second feedback message is ACK, which is used to indicate that the first MAC CE successfully receives.

Optionally, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 also includes 401d and 401d may be performed before 401 a.

401d, the network device sends the configuration information to the first terminal device. Accordingly, the first terminal device receives configuration information from the network device.

The configuration information is used to configure a first TCI state resource pool. The first pool of TCI status resources includes one or more TCI statuses, each TCI status corresponding to a beam. The first TCI state resource pool is used for the network device to select a corresponding TCI state for a plurality of packets.

Specifically, the network device configures a first TCI state resource pool to each terminal device managed by the network device through RRC signaling. The first TCI status resource pool is used for multicast beam indication for multiple packets by the network device. For example, a first TCI status resource Pool may be referred to as a common group TCI status resource Pool (group common TCI States Pool). The first TCI status resource pool includes parameters for beams. E.g., number of beams, type of beams, etc.

Two possible configurations of the first TCI state resource pool are described below.

1. The first TCI status resource pool may be a UE-specific TCI status resource pool (UE-specific TCI statepool). That is, the network device uses the UE-specific TCI status resource pool for both multicast beam indication and individual beam indication for the user, that is, both beam indication methods use the same TCI status resource pool. Thus, the UE-specific TCI status resource pool is the same for each terminal device. Since terminal devices of the same group should correspond to the same beam using the same beam index. The terminal devices of different groups stay in the current group by themselves or switch to other groups, so the terminal devices of different groups should use the same UE-specific TCI status resource pool. Therefore, different terminal devices determine the same beam through the same beam index, so that the network device can perform beam indication at a packet level, and the terminal devices in the same packet can be switched to the same beam.

2. The first TCI status resource pool may be a common grouped TCI status resource pool configured by the network device for each terminal device. The first TCI status resource pool may be referred to as a common packet TCI status resource pool. That is, for each end device, there are two pools of TCI status resources per end device. One is a UE-specific TCI status resource pool and the other is a common packet TCI status resource pool. The two resource pools are independent of each other. Since terminal devices of the same group should correspond to the same beam using the same beam index. The terminal devices of different groups stay by themselves in the current group or switch to other groups, so the terminal devices of different groups should use the same common group TCI status resource pool. The UE-specific TCI status resource pool used by different terminal devices may be different.

Alternatively, the common grouped TCI status resource pool may include a TCI status index that is selected from a UE-specific TCI status resource pool. The TCI status resource pool of the common group comprises TCI status indexes corresponding to the same beams in the UE-specific TCI status resource pools of different terminal devices.

In this embodiment, the network device sends configuration information to the first terminal device, so as to configure the first TCI status resource pool for the first terminal device. Then, the network device schedules a first MAC CE for the terminal device of the first packet through the second DCI, and then activates one or more TCI states for the first packet through the first MAC CE. The network device indicates one of the activated TCI states to the terminal device of the first packet through the first DCI. Thereby enabling beam indication for the first packet. Therefore, the network device does not need to perform corresponding activation indication and beam indication for each user individually, thereby greatly reducing signaling overhead.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a group management method according to an embodiment of the present application. Referring to fig. 5, the method includes:

501. the network device transmits the first DCI to the first terminal device. The first DCI is to indicate a first TCI status, which is to indicate a first beam. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first DCI from the network device.

501 is similar to the embodiment 401 shown in fig. 4, and please refer to the related description of the embodiment 401 shown in fig. 4, which is not repeated herein.

Optionally, the embodiment shown in fig. 5 further comprises 502, 502 may be performed after 501.

502. The first terminal device sends a first feedback message to the network device. The first feedback message is used for indicating that the first DCI is successfully received. Accordingly, the network device receives a first feedback message from the first terminal device.

502 is similar to 402 in the embodiment shown in fig. 4, and specific reference is made to the related description of 402 in the embodiment shown in fig. 4, which is not repeated herein.

In some embodiments, the network device may activate one or more TCI states for the first terminal device, such that the network device indicates to the first terminal device to activate one of the TCI states in 501 above. Optionally, the embodiment shown in fig. 5 further includes 501a.501a may be performed before 501.

501a, the network device sends the third DCI to the first terminal device. The third DCI is to activate one or more TCI states for the first packet. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the third DCI from the network device.

For example, the network device sends different beam resources, and configures reporting measurement parameters for one or more grouped terminal devices. And one or more grouped terminal devices carry out beam measurement and report the beam measurement result. The one or more packets include a first packet. The network device determines to activate one or more TCI states for the one or more packets, respectively, based on the beam measurements. The network device may transmit a third GC DCI for activating one or more TCI states for one or more packets, respectively.

In one possible implementation, the third DCI uses a dedicated DCI format. The network device designs a dedicated DCI format for transmitting the third DCI. Optionally, the third DCI includes at least one of: a distinguishing type field, an activation TCI state field, a packet identification field, a PDCCH-to-HARQ time indication field, and a PUCCH resource indication field.

The type of distinction field is used to indicate whether the third DCI indicates an uplink beam or a downlink beam. The differentiated type resource may be 1 bit in length. In the above 501a, the type distinguishing field in the third DCI is used to indicate that the third DCI indicates that the downlink beam is indicated.

The activate TCI status field is used to activate a corresponding one or more TCI statuses for one or more packets, respectively.

The packet identification field is used to indicate which packet or packets the third DCI is used for. For example, in 501a above, the packet identification field in the third DCI indicates that the third DCI is for the first packet.

And the PDCCH-to-HARQ time indication field is used for indicating a time interval from the moment when the network equipment transmits the third DCI to the moment when the first terminal equipment transmits the feedback message aiming at the third DCI.

The PUCCH resource indication field is used to indicate a PUCCH resource used by the first terminal device for transmitting the feedback message for the third DCI.

In another possible implementation, the third DCI adopts the current DCI format, for example, DCI _ format2_0, DCI _ format2_1, DCI _ format2_3, or DCI _ format2_6. The network device adopts the current DCI format to carry out multicast activation TCI state by modifying the definition of partial field. The network equipment can transmit the third DCI by adopting a scrambling mode such as SFI-RNTI, INT-RNTI, TPC-SRS-RNTI or PS-RNTI.

For example, the second DCI is in the format of DCI _ format2_0, and the network device scrambles the third DCI with the SFI-RNTI, which may be used to activate one or more TCI states for the first packet. For example, the network device redefines the variable length slot format indication field as a type discriminating field, an active TCI status field, a packet identification field, a PDCCH-to-HARQ time indication field, and a PUCCH resource indication field. For functional introduction of specific fields, refer to the related introduction.

The above-described implementation shows a scheme in which the first DCI and the third DCI are separately designed. In practical applications, the first DCI and the third DCI may be jointly designed, that is, the first DCI and the third DCI may adopt the same format. For the joint design approach, the first DCI and the third DCI may adopt the current DCI format and are obtained by adding or modifying fields in the DCI. Alternatively, the first DCI and the third DCI may adopt a dedicated DCI format, that is, the network device designs the first DCI and the third DCI by adopting the dedicated DCI format.

For the joint design approach, one possible implementation of the first DCI and the third DCI is described below. Optionally, the first DCI includes at least one of the following fields: a distinguishing type field, a grouping identification field, a function indication field, a PDCCH-to-HARQ time indication field, a TCI state indication field and a PUCCH resource indication field. A function indication field in the first DCI indicates that the first DCI is for a beam indication. The third DCI includes a differentiation type field, a packet identification field, a function indication field, a PDCCH-to-HARQ time indication field, an activation TCI status field, and a PUCCH resource indication field. A function indication field in the second DCI indicates that the third DCI is for activating a TCI state.

Optionally, the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 also includes 501b,501b may be performed after 501a.

501b, the first terminal device sends a third feedback message to the network device. The third feedback message is used for indicating that the third DCI is successfully received. Accordingly, the network device receives a third feedback message from the first terminal device.

501b are similar to the embodiment 401c shown in fig. 4, and reference may be made to the related description of the embodiment 401c shown in fig. 4, which is not repeated herein.

Optionally, the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 also includes 501c,501c may be performed before 501a.

501c, the network device sends the configuration information to the first terminal device. The configuration information is used to configure the first TCI state resource pool. Accordingly, the first terminal device receives configuration information from the network device.

501c are similar to the embodiment 401d shown in fig. 4, and reference may be made to the related description of the embodiment 401d shown in fig. 4, which is not repeated here.

In this embodiment, the network device sends configuration information to the first terminal device, so as to configure the first TCI status resource pool for the first terminal device. Then, the network device indicates, through the third DCI, an activated TCI status corresponding to the one or more packets (including the first packet). Then, the network device indicates one of the activated TCI states to the terminal device of the first packet through the first DCI. Thereby enabling beam indication for the first packet. Therefore, the network device does not need to perform corresponding activation indication and beam indication for each user individually, thereby greatly reducing signaling overhead.

The following describes a communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application. Referring to fig. 6, fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 600 may be configured to execute the processes executed by the first terminal device in the embodiments shown in fig. 2, fig. 4 and fig. 5, which refer to the related descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments.

The communication device 600 includes a transceiver module 601 and a processing module 602. The transceiver module 601 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 602 is configured to perform data processing. The transceiver module 601 may also be referred to as a communication interface or communication module.

Optionally, the communication device 600 may further include a storage module, which may be used to store instructions and/or data, and the processing module 602 may read the instructions and/or data in the storage module to enable the communication device to implement the foregoing method embodiments.

The communication apparatus 600 may be used to perform the actions performed by the first terminal device in the above method embodiments. The communication apparatus 600 may be a first terminal device or a component configurable to the first terminal device. The transceiver module 601 is configured to perform operations related to reception at the first terminal device side in the foregoing method embodiment, and the processing module 602 is configured to perform operations related to processing at the first terminal device side in the foregoing method embodiment.

Optionally, the transceiver module 601 may include a transmitting module and a receiving module. The sending module is configured to execute sending operation on the first terminal device side in the foregoing method embodiment. The receiving module is used for executing the receiving operation of the first terminal device side in the above method embodiment.

It should be noted that the communication apparatus 600 may include a sending module instead of a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 600 may include a receiving module instead of a transmitting module. It may specifically be determined whether the above-described scheme executed by the communication apparatus 600 includes a sending action and a receiving action.

A transceiver module 601, configured to send a beam measurement result of a communication apparatus to a network device;

a processing module 602, configured to perform any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result: stay in the first packet where the communication device is located, or switch from the first packet to the second packet; wherein the first packet includes one or more terminal devices, the first packet corresponds to a first beam, the second packet includes one or more terminal devices, the second packet corresponds to a second beam, and the terminal devices included in the first packet do not overlap with the terminal devices included in the second packet.

In a possible implementation manner, the processing module 602 is specifically configured to:

if the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results is the same as the first beam, staying in the first group in which the communication device 600 is located; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

if the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results is the first beam, staying in the first packet in which the communication device 600 is located; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

if the difference between the maximum RSRP of the beam measurement results and the RSRP of the first beam is less than or equal to the first threshold, the first packet in which the communication device 600 is located is retained.

In another possible implementation manner, the beam measurement result includes beam measurement results reported by the communication device 600 for N consecutive times, where N is an integer greater than 1; the processing module 602 is specifically configured to:

if the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the consecutive N times by the communication device 600 is different from the first beam, and the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the consecutive N times by the communication device 600 is the second beam, switching from the first packet to the second packet; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

if the difference between the maximum RSRP of the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the communication apparatus 600 for N consecutive times is greater than the first threshold and the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP of the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the communication apparatus 600 for N consecutive times is the second beam, the communication apparatus switches from the first packet to the second packet.

In another possible implementation manner, the transceiver module 601 is further configured to:

packet information is received from the network device indicating that the communication apparatus 600 belongs to the first packet.

the processing module 602 is specifically configured to:

performing any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement and the first correspondence: stay in the first packet or switch from the first packet to the second packet.

receiving first indication information from network equipment, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating terminal equipment of a first group to respectively switch to a first beam;

the processing module 602 is further configured to:

switching to a first beam according to the first indication information;

the processing module 602 is specifically configured to:

performing any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result and the updated first corresponding relation: stay in the first packet or switch from the first packet to the second packet.

the processing module 602 is further configured to:

In another possible implementation manner, the transceiver module 601 is specifically configured to:

receiving first DCI from a network device, the first DCI being used for indicating a first TCI state, the first TCI state being used for indicating a first beam.

In another possible implementation, the first TCI state is one of one or more TCI states activated by the first packet of the network device; the transceiver module 601 is further configured to:

a first MAC CE is received from a network device.

In another possible implementation, the first TCI state is one of one or more TCI states activated by the network device for the first packet; the transceiver module 601 is further configured to:

sending capability information to the network device;

wherein the capability information comprises at least one of: information on whether the communication apparatus 600 supports the packet management mode, the maximum number of sets of correspondence between maintained packets and beams supported by the communication apparatus 600, a beam switching delay of the communication apparatus 600 in the packet management mode, a packet validation delay of the communication apparatus 600 in the packet management mode, information on whether the communication apparatus 600 supports the packet auto-validation mode, and information on whether the communication apparatus 600 supports the packet management mode of multiple carrier aggregation.

It should be understood that the specific processes of the modules for executing the corresponding processes described above have been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and are not described herein again for brevity.

The processing module 602 in the above embodiments may be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuitry. The transceiver module 601 may be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry. The transceiver module 601 may also be referred to as a communication module or a communication interface. The storage module may be implemented by at least one memory.

The following describes a communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application. Referring to fig. 7, fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 700 may be configured to perform the processes performed by the network device in the embodiments shown in fig. 2, fig. 4 and fig. 5, which refer to the related descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments.

The communication device 700 comprises a transceiver module 701 and a processing module 702. The transceiver module 701 may implement a corresponding communication function, and the processing module 702 is configured to perform data processing. The transceiver module 701 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication module.

Optionally, the communication device 700 may further include a storage module, which may be used to store instructions and/or data, and the processing module 702 may read the instructions and/or data in the storage module to enable the communication device to implement the foregoing method embodiments.

The communication apparatus 700 may be used to perform the actions performed by the network device in the above method embodiments. The communication apparatus 700 may be a network device or a component configurable in a network device. The transceiver module 701 is configured to perform operations related to receiving at the network device side in the foregoing method embodiments, and the processing module 702 is configured to perform operations related to processing at the network device side in the foregoing method embodiments.

Optionally, the transceiver module 701 may include a transmitting module and a receiving module. The sending module is configured to perform sending operation on the network device side in the foregoing method embodiment. The receiving module is used for executing the receiving operation of the network equipment side in the above method embodiment.

It should be noted that the communication device 700 may include a transmitting module instead of a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 700 may include a receiving module without a transmitting module. It may specifically be determined whether the above-described scheme executed by the communication apparatus 700 includes the sending action and the receiving action.

A transceiver module 701, configured to receive a beam measurement result from a first terminal device;

a processing module 702 configured to determine, from the beam measurement: the first terminal device stays in the first packet or the first terminal device switches from the first packet to the second packet; wherein the first packet includes one or more terminal devices, the first packet corresponds to a first beam, the second packet includes one or more terminal devices, the second packet corresponds to a second beam, and the terminal devices included in the first packet do not overlap with the terminal devices included in the second packet.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module 701 is further configured to:

In another possible implementation manner, the transceiver module 701 is further configured to:

the first correspondence relationship is a correspondence relationship between a plurality of packets and a plurality of beams managed by the communication apparatus 700, and is transmitted to the first terminal device.

and sending first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal devices of the first group to respectively switch to the first beam.

In another possible implementation manner, the transceiver module 701 is specifically configured to:

In another possible implementation, the first TCI state is one of one or more TCI states activated by the communications apparatus 700 for the first packet; the transceiver module is specifically configured to:

the first MAC CE is transmitted.

In another possible implementation, the first TCI state is one of one or more TCI states activated by the communications apparatus 700 for the first packet; the transceiver module 701 is specifically configured to:

transmit configuration information for configuring a first TCI state resource pool comprising one or more TCI states, each TCI state corresponding to a beam, the first TCI state resource pool for the communications apparatus 700 to select a corresponding TCI state for a plurality of packets.

receiving capability information from a first terminal device;

wherein the capability information comprises at least one of: the information of whether the first terminal device supports a grouping management mode, the maximum number of corresponding relation groups between the maintained grouping and the wave beam supported by the first terminal device, the wave beam switching time delay of the first terminal device in the grouping management mode, the grouping effective time delay of the first terminal device in the grouping management mode, the information of whether the first terminal device supports a grouping automatic effective mode, and the information of whether the first terminal device supports a grouping management mode of a plurality of carrier aggregations.

It should be understood that, the specific processes of the modules for executing the corresponding processes described above have been described in detail in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not described herein again for brevity.

The processing module 702 in the above embodiments may be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuitry. The transceiver module 701 may be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry. The transceiving module 701 may also be referred to as a communication module or a communication interface. The storage module may be implemented by at least one memory.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus 800. The communication device 800 comprises a processor 810, the processor 810 being coupled to a memory 820, the memory 820 being adapted to store computer programs or instructions and/or data, the processor 810 being adapted to execute the computer programs or instructions and/or data stored by the memory 820 such that the methods in the above method embodiments are performed.

Optionally, the communication device 800 includes one or more processors 810.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 8, the communication apparatus 800 may further include a memory 820.

Optionally, the communication device 800 may include one or more memories 820.

Alternatively, the memory 820 may be integrated with the processor 810 or separately provided.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 8, the communication device 800 may further include a transceiver 830, and the transceiver 830 is used for receiving and/or transmitting signals. For example, processor 810 may be configured to control transceiver 830 to receive and/or transmit signals.

As an approach, the communication apparatus 800 is configured to implement the operations performed by the first terminal device in the above method embodiments.

For example, the processor 810 is configured to implement the processing-related operations performed by the first terminal device in the above method embodiments, and the transceiver 830 is configured to implement the transceiving-related operations performed by the first terminal device in the above method embodiments.

Alternatively, the communication apparatus 800 is configured to implement the operations performed by the network device in the above method embodiments.

For example, the processor 810 is configured to implement processing-related operations performed by the network device in the above method embodiments, and the transceiver 830 is configured to implement transceiving-related operations performed by the network device in the above method embodiments.

In the communication apparatus shown in fig. 8, the device for receiving power in the transceiver 830 may be regarded as a receiving unit, and the device for transmitting power in the transceiver 830 may be regarded as a transmitting unit. I.e., the transceiver 830 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The transceiver 830 may also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver unit, a transceiver circuit, or the like. The receiver may also be referred to as a receiver, a receiving unit, a receiver, a receiving circuit, or the like. The transmitter may also be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitting unit or a transmitting circuit, etc. The processor 810 has a processing function, and the processor 810 may be referred to as a processing unit. The memory 820 is used for storing computer program codes and data, and the memory 820 may also be referred to as a storage unit.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus 900, where the communication apparatus 900 may be a terminal device or a chip. The communication apparatus 900 may be configured to perform the operations performed by the first terminal device in the above method embodiments.

When the communication apparatus 900 is a terminal device, fig. 9 shows a simplified structure diagram of the terminal device. As shown in fig. 9, the terminal device includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver.

The memories can store computer program code and the transceiver includes a transmitter 931, a receiver 932, radio frequency circuitry (not shown), an antenna 933, and input-output devices (not shown).

The processor is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the terminal equipment, executing software programs, processing data of the software programs and the like. The memory is primarily used for storing software programs and data. The radio frequency circuit is mainly used for converting baseband signals and radio frequency signals and processing the radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input and output devices, such as touch screens, display screens, keyboards, etc., are used primarily for receiving data input by a user and for outputting data to the user. It should be noted that some kinds of terminal devices may not have input/output devices.

When data needs to be sent, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and outputs baseband signals to the radio frequency circuit, and the radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signals and sends the radio frequency signals to the outside in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal equipment, the radio frequency circuit receives radio frequency signals through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signals into baseband signals and outputs the baseband signals to the processor, and the processor converts the baseband signals into the data and processes the data. For ease of illustration, only one memory, processor and transceiver are shown in fig. 9, and in an actual end device product, one or more processors and one or more memories may be present. The memory may also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, etc. The memory may be provided independently of the processor, or may be integrated with the processor, which is not limited in this embodiment.

In the embodiment of the present application, the antenna and the radio frequency circuit having the transceiving function may be regarded as a transceiving module of the terminal device, and the processor having the processing function may be regarded as a processing module of the terminal device.

As shown in fig. 9, the terminal device includes a processor 910, a memory 920, and a transceiver 930. Processor 910 may also be referred to as a processing unit, a processing board, a processing module, a processing device, etc., and transceiver 930 may also be referred to as a transceiver module, a transceiver unit, a transceiver device, etc.

Alternatively, a device for implementing a receiving function in the transceiver 930 may be regarded as a receiving module, and a device for implementing a transmitting function in the transceiver 930 may be regarded as a transmitting module, that is, the transceiver 930 includes a receiver and a transmitter. A transceiver may also sometimes be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver module, a transceiver unit, a transceiver circuit, or the like. A receiver may also be referred to as a receiver, a receiving unit, or a receiving circuit. The transmitter may sometimes also be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitting module, a transmitting unit or a transmitting circuit, etc.

For example, in one implementation, the processor 910 is configured to perform processing actions of the first terminal device side in the embodiment shown in fig. 2, and the transceiver 930 is configured to perform transceiving actions of the first terminal device side in fig. 2. For example, the transceiver 930 is used to perform transceiving operations of 201 in the embodiment shown in fig. 2. The processor 910 is configured to perform the processing operations of 202 in the embodiment shown in fig. 2. Optionally, the transceiver 930 is further configured to perform transceiving operations of 201a, 201b, 201c, 201f, 201h, 203 and 206 in the embodiment shown in fig. 2.

For example, in one implementation, the processor 910 is configured to perform processing actions on the first terminal device side in the embodiment shown in fig. 4. For example, the transceiver 930 is used to perform the transceiving operation of 401 in the embodiment shown in fig. 4. Optionally, the transceiver 903 is further configured to perform transceiving operations of 402, 401a to 401d of the embodiment shown in fig. 4.

For example, in one implementation, the processor 910 is configured to perform processing actions on the first terminal device side in the embodiment shown in fig. 5. For example, the transceiver 930 is used to perform transceiving operations of 501 in the embodiment shown in fig. 5. Optionally, the transceiver 903 is further configured to perform transceiving operations 502, 501a to 501c of the embodiment shown in fig. 5.

It should be understood that fig. 9 is merely exemplary and not limiting, and the terminal device including the transceiver module and the processing module may not depend on the structure shown in fig. 9.

When the communication device 900 is a chip, the chip includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. Wherein, the transceiver can be an input-output circuit or a communication interface; the processor may be a processing module or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip. The sending operation of the first terminal device in the above method embodiment may be understood as an output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the first terminal device in the above method embodiment may be understood as an input of the chip.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus 1000, where the communication apparatus 1000 may be a network device or a chip. The communication apparatus 1000 may be used to perform the operations performed by the network device in the above method embodiments.

When the communication apparatus 1000 is a network device, it is, for example, a base station. Fig. 10 shows a simplified base station structure. The base station includes

portions

1010, 1020, and 1030.

The 1010 part is mainly used for baseband processing, base station control and the like; part 1010 is typically a control center of the base station, and may be generally referred to as a processor, for controlling the base station to perform the processing operations on the network device side in the above method embodiments. Section 1020 is primarily intended to store computer program code and data. The 1030 part is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals and converting the radio frequency signals and baseband signals; portion 1030 may be generally referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver module, a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, or the like. The transceiver unit of the part 1030, which may also be referred to as a transceiver or a transceiver, includes an antenna 1033 and a radio frequency circuit (not shown), wherein the radio frequency circuit is mainly used for radio frequency processing. Alternatively, the device for implementing the receiving function in the section 1030 may be regarded as a receiver, and the device for implementing the transmitting function may be regarded as a transmitter, that is, the section 1030 includes the receiver 1032 and the transmitter 1031. The receiver may also be referred to as a receiving unit, a receiving module, a receiver, a receiving circuit, or the like, and the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitting unit, a transmitting module, a transmitter, a transmitting circuit, or the like.

Portions

1010 and 1020 may include one or more boards, each of which may include one or more processors and one or more memories. The processor is used to read and execute programs in the memory to implement baseband processing functions and control of the base station. If a plurality of single boards exist, the single boards can be interconnected to enhance the processing capacity. As an alternative implementation, multiple boards may share one or more processors, multiple boards may share one or more memories, or multiple boards may share one or more processors at the same time.

For example, in one implementation, the transceiver unit of part 1030 is configured to perform transceiver-related processes performed by the network device in the embodiment shown in fig. 2. The processor of portion 1010 is configured to perform processes associated with the processing performed by the network device in the embodiment shown in fig. 2.

For example, in one implementation, the transceiving unit of part 1030 is configured to perform transceiving-related processes performed by the network device in the embodiment shown in fig. 4.

For example, in one implementation, the transceiving unit of part 1030 is configured to perform transceiving-related processes performed by the network device in the embodiment shown in fig. 5.

It should be appreciated that fig. 10 is merely exemplary and not limiting, and that the network device including the processor, memory, and transceiver described above may not depend on the architecture shown in fig. 10.

When the communication device 1000 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The transceiver can be an input/output circuit and a communication interface; the processor is a processor or microprocessor or integrated circuit integrated on the chip. The sending operation of the network device in the above method embodiment may be understood as an output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the network device in the above method embodiment may be understood as an input of the chip.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable storage medium, on which computer instructions for implementing the method performed by the first terminal device or the method performed by the network device in the foregoing method embodiments are stored.

For example, the computer program, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to implement the method performed by the first terminal device or the method performed by the network device in the above-described method embodiments.

Embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product containing instructions, where the instructions, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method performed by the first terminal device or the method performed by the network device in the foregoing method embodiments.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, where the communication system includes the network device and the first terminal device in the foregoing embodiments.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip apparatus, which includes a processor, configured to invoke a computer program or a computer instruction stored in the memory, so that the processor executes the group management method according to the embodiments shown in fig. 2, fig. 4, and fig. 5.

In a possible implementation, the input of the chip device corresponds to the receiving operation in the embodiments shown in fig. 2, 4 and 5, and the output of the chip device corresponds to the sending operation in the embodiments shown in fig. 2, 4 and 5.

Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

Optionally, the chip device further comprises a memory, in which the computer program or the computer instructions are stored.

The processor mentioned in any above may be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the programs of the packet management methods according to the embodiments shown in fig. 2, fig. 4 and fig. 5. The memory referred to anywhere above may be a read-only memory (ROM), or other type of static storage device that may store static information and instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM), or the like.

It can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the system, the apparatus and the module described above may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not described herein again.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described apparatus embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the modules is merely a logical division, and in actual implementation, there may be other divisions, for example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not implemented. In addition, the shown or discussed coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between each other may be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or modules, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

The modules described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as modules may or may not be physical modules, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network modules. Some or all of the modules may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

In addition, functional modules in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing module, or each of the modules may exist alone physically, or two or more modules are integrated into one module. The integrated module can be realized in a hardware mode, and can also be realized in a software functional module mode.

The integrated module, if implemented in the form of a software functional module and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application may substantially contribute to the technical solution or all or part of the technical solution may be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute all or part of the processes of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: u disk, removable hard disk, read only memory, random access memory, magnetic disk or optical disk, etc. for storing program codes.

The above embodiments are only used for illustrating the technical solutions of the present application, and not for limiting the same; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that: the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or some technical features may be equivalently replaced; and the modifications or the substitutions do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for packet management, the method comprising:

a first terminal device sends a beam measurement result of the first terminal device to a network device;

the first terminal equipment executes any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result: staying in a first packet in which the first terminal device is located, or switching from the first packet to a second packet;

wherein the first packet includes one or more terminal devices, the first packet corresponds to a first beam, the second packet includes one or more terminal devices, the second packet corresponds to a second beam, and the terminal devices included in the first packet do not overlap with the terminal devices included in the second packet.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first terminal device stays in a first packet in which the first terminal device is located according to the beam measurement result, comprising:

if the beam corresponding to the maximum Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) in the beam measurement results is the same as the first beam, the first terminal device stays in a first group in which the first terminal device is located;

alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

if the difference between the maximum RSRP of the beam measurement results and the RSRP of the first beam is smaller than or equal to a first threshold, the first terminal device stays in a first group in which the first terminal device is located.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the beam measurement result comprises beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device N consecutive times, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1;

the first terminal device switching from the first packet to a second packet according to the beam measurement results, comprising:

if the beam corresponding to the maximum Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device for N consecutive times is different from the first beam, and the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device for N consecutive times is the second beam, switching the first terminal device from the first group to the second group;

alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

and if the difference value between the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device for N times continuously and the RSRP of the first beam is larger than a first threshold value, and the beam corresponding to the maximum RSRP in the beam measurement results reported each time in the beam measurement results reported by the first terminal device for N times continuously is the second beam, switching the first terminal device from the first group to the second group.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

the first terminal device receives packet information from the network device, wherein the packet information is used for indicating that the first terminal device belongs to the first packet.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

the first terminal device receiving a first corresponding relationship from the network device, where the first corresponding relationship is a corresponding relationship between a plurality of packets and a plurality of beams managed by the network device;

the first terminal equipment executes any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result: staying in a first packet in which the first terminal device is located, or switching from the first packet to a second packet, includes:

the first terminal device performs any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result and the first corresponding relationship: stay in the first packet or switch from the first packet to the second packet.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first correspondence comprises a correspondence between an identification of the plurality of packets and a beam index of the plurality of beams; alternatively, the first correspondence comprises a correspondence between scrambling sequence values corresponding to the plurality of packets and beam indices of the plurality of beams.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein after the first terminal device receives the first corresponding relationship from the network device, the first terminal device performs any of the following operations according to the beam measurement result and the first corresponding relationship: staying in the first packet or, before switching from the first packet to the second packet, the method further comprises:

the first terminal device receives first indication information from the network device, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal devices of the first group to respectively switch to the first beams;

the first terminal equipment is switched to the first beam according to the first indication information;

the first terminal equipment updates the first corresponding relation according to the first indication information;

the first terminal device performs any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result and the first corresponding relationship: staying in the first packet or switching from the first packet to the second packet includes:

the first terminal device performs any one of the following operations according to the beam measurement result and the updated first correspondence: stay in the first packet or switch from the first packet to the second packet.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising:

the first terminal device receives second indication information from the network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that terminal devices of a third group switch to a third beam, respectively;

and the first terminal equipment updates the first corresponding relation according to the second indication information.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first terminal device receives the first indication information from the network device, and wherein the first indication information comprises:

the first terminal device receives first downlink control information from the network device, where the first downlink control information is used to indicate a first transmission configuration number (TCI) state, and the first TCI state is used to indicate the first beam.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first TCI state is one of one or more TCI states activated by the network device for the first packet; the method further comprises the following steps:

the first terminal device receives second downlink control information from the network device, where the second downlink control information is used to schedule a first media access control element, MAC CE, for the first packet, the first MAC CE is used to activate the one or more TCI states for the first packet, and each TCI state corresponds to one beam;

the first terminal equipment receives the first MAC CE from the network equipment.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first TCI state is one of one or more TCI states activated by the network device for the first packet; the method further comprises the following steps:

the first terminal device receives third downlink control information from the network device, where the third downlink control information is used to activate the one or more TCI states for the first packet.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising:

the first terminal device receives configuration information from a network device, where the configuration information is used to configure a first TCI status resource pool, where the first TCI status resource pool includes one or more TCI statuses, each TCI status corresponds to a beam, and the first TCI status resource pool is used for the network device to select a corresponding TCI status for the plurality of packets.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising:

the first terminal equipment sends capability information to the network equipment;

wherein the capability information comprises at least one of: the information of whether the first terminal device supports a grouping management mode, the maximum number of corresponding relation groups between the groups and the beams which are supported and maintained by the first terminal device, the beam switching time delay of the first terminal device in the grouping management mode, the grouping effective time delay of the first terminal device in the grouping management mode, the information of whether the first terminal device supports a grouping automatic effective mode, and the information of whether the first terminal device supports a grouping management mode of a plurality of carrier aggregations.

14. A method for packet management, the method comprising:

the network equipment receives the beam measurement result from the first terminal equipment;

the network device determines, according to the beam measurement result: the first terminal device stays in a first packet or the first terminal device switches from the first packet to a second packet;

15. The method of claim 14, wherein before the network device receives the beam measurement from the first terminal device, the method further comprises:

and the network equipment sends grouping information to the first terminal equipment, wherein the grouping information is used for indicating that the first terminal equipment belongs to the first group.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising:

the network device sends a first corresponding relationship to the first terminal device, where the first corresponding relationship is a corresponding relationship between a plurality of packets and a plurality of beams managed by the network device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first correspondence comprises a correspondence between an identification of the plurality of packets and a beam index of the plurality of beams; alternatively, the first correspondence includes a correspondence between scrambling sequences corresponding to the plurality of packets and beam indices of the plurality of beams.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein after the network device sends the first corresponding relationship to the first terminal device, the method further comprises:

and the network equipment sends first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment of the first group to be respectively switched to the first beam.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising:

and the network equipment sends second indication information, wherein the second indication information is respectively used for indicating the terminal equipment of the third group to be respectively switched to the third beam.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the network device sends the first indication information, comprising:

the network device sends first downlink control information, where the first downlink control information is used to indicate a first transmission configuration number (TCI) state, and the first TCI state is used to indicate the first beam.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first TCI state is one of one or more TCI states activated by the network device for the first packet; the method further comprises the following steps:

the network device sends second downlink control information, where the second downlink control information is used to schedule a first media access control element, MAC CE, for the first packet, and the first MAC CE is used to activate the one or more TCI states for the first packet, and each TCI state corresponds to one beam;

and the network equipment transmits the first MAC CE.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the first TCI state is one of one or more TCI states activated by the network device for the first packet; the method further comprises the following steps:

the network device sends third downlink control information to a second terminal device, where the third downlink control information is used to activate the one or more TCI states for the first packet.

23. The method of any one of claims 20 to 22, further comprising:

the network device sends configuration information, where the configuration information is used to configure a first TCI state resource pool, where the first TCI state resource pool includes one or more TCI states, each TCI state corresponds to a beam, and the first TCI state resource pool is used for the network device to select a corresponding TCI state for the plurality of packets.

24. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 23, further comprising:

the network equipment receives the capability information from the first terminal equipment;

25. A communication device, characterized in that it comprises transceiving means for performing transceiving operations of the method of any of the preceding claims 1 to 13, and processing means for performing processing operations of the method of any of the preceding claims 1 to 13.

26. A communications device comprising transceiving means for performing transceiving operations of the method of any of the preceding claims 14 to 24, and processing means for performing processing operations of the method of any of the preceding claims 14 to 24.

27. A communication apparatus, characterized in that the communication apparatus comprises:

a memory for storing computer instructions;

a processor for executing a computer program or computer instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 24.

28. A communications apparatus, comprising a processor that: the processor is for executing a computer program or computer instructions in the memory to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 24.

29. A communication apparatus, characterized in that the communication apparatus comprises a processor for performing the method of any of claims 1 to 24.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a communication apparatus, causes the communication apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 24.