CN116015571A

CN116015571A - Communication method and communication device

Info

Publication number: CN116015571A
Application number: CN202111228219.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张萌
Original assignee: Spreadtrum Communications Shanghai Co Ltd
Current assignee: Spreadtrum Communications Shanghai Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-21
Filing date: 2021-10-21
Publication date: 2023-04-25
Also published as: WO2023066381A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses a communication method and a communication device, wherein the method comprises the following steps: puncturing a portion of the first signal to be transmitted back-to-back in the event that the beams of the first and second signals are different; and sending the first signal after puncture. In this embodiment of the present application, when beams of a first signal and a second signal to be transmitted back-to-back are different, a part of the first signal is punctured (equivalent to extending a cyclic prefix of the first signal or a cyclic prefix of the second signal); this allows more time to effect beam switching; the influence of beam switching on the communication quality can be reduced.

Description

Communication method and communication device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a communication method and a communication device.

Background

In release 18, 52.6GHz to 71GHz introduces new subcarrier spacings of 480kHz and 960kHz. The Cyclic Prefix (CP) of the new carrier is shorter, with 480kHz of approximately 146ns and 960kHz of approximately 73ns.

The currently discussed beam switching (beam switching) time is up to 200ns at maximum, where the beam switching cannot be completed within CP time. Since beam switching cannot be completed in CP time, beam switching is likely to affect communication quality, and even successful transmission of data cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, it is necessary to study how to reduce the influence of beam switching on the communication quality.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application discloses a communication method and a communication device, which can reduce the influence of beam switching on communication quality.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including: puncturing a portion of the first signal to be transmitted back-to-back in the event that the beams of the first and second signals are different; and sending the first signal after puncture.

In this embodiment of the present application, when beams of a first signal and a second signal to be transmitted back-to-back are different, a part of the first signal is punctured (equivalent to extending a cyclic prefix of the first signal or a cyclic prefix of the second signal); this allows more time to effect beam switching; the influence of beam switching on the communication quality can be reduced.

In one possible implementation, before puncturing a portion of the first signal, the method further comprises: and determining the first signal to be punctured according to the priority of the first signal and the priority of the second signal.

In this implementation, a more appropriate punctured signal may be determined based on the priority of the first signal and the priority of the second signal.

In one possible implementation, the first signal has a higher or lower priority than the second signal.

In this implementation, the higher or lower priority first signal is punctured; it is possible to accurately and quickly determine which signal to puncture.

In one possible implementation, before puncturing a portion of the first signal, the method further comprises: and determining the first signal to be punctured according to the priority of the first signal and the priority of the second signal, and the sending time of the first signal and the sending time of the second signal.

In this implementation, a more appropriate punctured signal may be determined based on the priority of the first signal and the priority of the second signal, and the transmission time of the first signal and the transmission time of the second signal.

In one possible implementation, the priority of the first signal and the priority of the second signal are the same, and the transmission time of the first signal is before the transmission time of the second signal, or the transmission time of the first signal is after the transmission time of the second signal.

In this implementation, when the priority of the first signal and the priority of the second signal are the same, the first signal whose transmission time is forward or backward is punctured; the puncture signal can be accurately and quickly determined.

In one possible implementation, the transmission time of the first signal is after the transmission time of the second signal; the puncturing a portion of the first signal includes: the first one or more OFDM symbols (symbols) of the first signal are punctured.

In this implementation, the first one or more OFDM symbols of the first signal are punctured; so that there is a longer time to complete the beam switch.

In one possible implementation manner, the method is applied to a scenario that a plurality of transmission and reception points (transmission reception point, TRP) transmit signals to a terminal device through a physical downlink shared channel (physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH), the first signal and the second signal are both signals to be transmitted to the terminal device by a first TRP, or the first signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a second TRP, and the second signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a third TRP; alternatively, the method is applied to a scenario where a single downlink control information (downlink control information, DCI) schedules a multi-slot PDSCH, the first signal and the second signal being carried on different PDSCH; alternatively, the method is applied to a transmission scenario based on repetition type B, the first signal and the second signal being signals transmitted with different TRPs; alternatively, the method is applied in a side chain transmission scenario, the first signal and the second signal being carried on different physical side link feedback channels (physical sidelink feedback channel, PSFCH).

In this implementation, a portion of the first signal is punctured so that there is more time to effect beam switching; the influence of beam switching on the communication quality can be reduced.

In one possible implementation, the puncturing a portion of the first signal includes: in the event that the length of the first signal is greater than or equal to a length threshold, puncturing a portion of the first signal.

In this implementation, if the length of the first signal is greater than or equal to the length threshold, puncturing a portion of the first signal; so as to ensure that the transmission of the punctured first signal is better than the discarding of the first signal.

In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide another communication method, including: discarding the first signal to be transmitted back-to-back in case the beams of the first signal and the second signal are different; the length of the first signal is smaller than a length threshold value, and the length of the second signal is larger than or equal to the length threshold value; and transmitting the second signal.

In the embodiment of the application, under the condition that the wave beams of the first signal and the second signal to be transmitted back to back are different, discarding the first signal with the length smaller than the length threshold; this can avoid performing beam switching operations.

In a possible implementation manner, the method is applied to a scenario that a plurality of TRPs send signals to a terminal device through PDSCH, and the first signal and the second signal are both signals to be sent to the terminal device by a first TRP, or the first signal is a signal to be sent to the terminal device by a second TRP, and the second signal is a signal to be sent to the terminal device by a third TRP; alternatively, the method is applied to a scenario in which a single DCI schedules a multi-slot PDSCH, the first signal and the second signal being carried on different PDSCH; alternatively, the method is applied to a transmission scenario based on repetition type B, the first signal and the second signal being signals transmitted with different TRPs; alternatively, the method is applied to a side chain transmission scenario, where the first signal and the second signal are carried on different PSFCHs.

In this implementation, the first signal having a length less than the length threshold is discarded; thus, the beam switching operation can be avoided, and the situation that the beam cannot complete the switching in time is avoided.

In a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide another communication method, including: transmitting a third signal and a fourth signal to be transmitted back-to-back and delaying transmission of the fourth signal in case that the beams of the third signal and the fourth signal are different; the transmission time of the third signal is before the transmission time of the fourth signal.

In this embodiment of the present application, in a case where beams of a third signal and a fourth signal to be transmitted back-to-back are different, the third signal is transmitted and the fourth signal is delayed to be transmitted. The delay in sending the fourth signal may leave the network device more time to perform beam switching, which may reduce the impact of beam switching on communication quality.

In a possible implementation manner, the method is applied to a scenario that a plurality of TRPs send signals to a terminal device through PDSCH, and the third signal and the fourth signal are signals to be sent to the terminal device by a fourth TRP, or the third signal is a signal to be sent to the terminal device by a fifth TRP, and the fourth signal is a signal to be sent to the terminal device by a sixth TRP; alternatively, the method is applied to a scenario in which a single DCI schedules a multi-slot PDSCH, the third signal and the fourth signal being carried on different PDSCH; alternatively, the method is applied to a repetition type B based transmission scenario, the third signal and the fourth signal being carried on different PDSCH; alternatively, the method is applied to a side chain transmission scenario, the third signal and the fourth signal being carried on different PSFCHs.

In this implementation, the delay in sending the fourth signal may allow the network device more time to perform beam switching, which may reduce the impact of beam switching on communication quality.

In one possible implementation, the delaying the sending of the fourth signal includes: after the beam switching is completed, the fourth signal is transmitted. The completion of the beam switching means switching the beam transmitting the third signal to the beam transmitting the fourth signal.

In this implementation, after the beam switch is completed, a fourth signal is sent; the problem of transmitting the fourth signal without switching the beam can be avoided.

In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide another communication method, including: receiving first and second signals of different beams back-to-back; a portion of the first signal is punctured; the first signal is decoded.

In the embodiment of the application, when the first signal and the second signal with different wave beams are received back to back, part of the first signal is punctured; so that the terminal equipment has more time to realize beam switching; the influence of beam switching on the communication quality can be reduced.

In this implementation, the first signal with higher or lower priority is delayed to be sent; it is possible to accurately and quickly determine which signal to delay transmission.

In one possible implementation, the transmission time of the first signal is after the transmission time of the second signal; the first one or more OFDM symbols of the first signal are punctured.

In this implementation, the first one or more OFDM symbols punctured for the first signal are punctured; so that there is a longer time to complete the beam switch.

In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide another communication method, including: receiving a second signal sent by the network equipment; the second signal is an undeployed signal in signals with different beams to be transmitted back to back by the network equipment; the length of the second signal is greater than or equal to a length threshold; decoding the second signal. A first signal to be transmitted back-to-back with the second signal by the network device is dropped (drop), the length of the first signal being less than the length threshold.

In the embodiment of the application, the second signal which is not discarded in the signals with different beams and is to be transmitted back to back is received. The first signal to be transmitted back-to-back with the second signal by the network device is discarded, so that the problem that the beam switching cannot be completed in time can be avoided, and the execution of the beam switching operation is reduced.

In one possible implementation, the signals of the two beams to be transmitted back-to-back by the network device that are different include a first signal and the second signal; the method is applied to a scene that a plurality of TRPs send signals to terminal equipment through a PDSCH, wherein the first signal and the second signal are signals to be sent to the terminal equipment by the first TRP, or the first signal is a signal to be sent to the terminal equipment by the second TRP, and the second signal is a signal to be sent to the terminal equipment by the third TRP; alternatively, the method is applied to a scenario in which a single DCI schedules a multi-slot PDSCH, the first signal and the second signal being carried on different PDSCH; alternatively, the method is applied to a transmission scenario based on repetition type B, the first signal and the second signal being signals transmitted with different TRPs; alternatively, the method is applied to a side chain transmission scenario, where the first signal and the second signal are carried on different PSFCHs.

In a sixth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide another communication method, including: a third signal and a fourth signal with different back-to-back receiving beams, the fourth signal being delayed for transmission, the third signal having a transmission time that is before the transmission time of the fourth signal; decoding the third signal.

In the embodiment of the present application, the fourth signal is delayed to be transmitted, that is, delayed to be received; the network device can be ensured to finish beam switching when receiving the fourth signal, and the influence of the beam switching on the communication quality can be reduced.

In the implementation manner, the fourth signal is delayed to be sent, so that more time can be reserved for the network equipment to execute the beam switching, and the network equipment is ensured to complete the beam switching when the terminal equipment receives the fourth signal; the influence of beam switching on the communication quality can be reduced.

In one possible implementation, the fourth signal is sent after the network device completes the beam switch.

In a seventh aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, including: the processing module is used for puncturing a part of the first signals under the condition that the beams of the first signals and the second signals to be transmitted back to back are different; and the transceiver module is used for transmitting the first signal after puncture.

In a possible implementation manner, the processing module is further configured to determine the first signal to be punctured according to the priority of the first signal and the priority of the second signal, and the transmission time of the first signal and the transmission time of the second signal.

In one possible implementation, the transmission time of the first signal is after the transmission time of the second signal; the processing module is specifically configured to puncture one or more OFDM symbols at the forefront of the first signal.

In a possible implementation manner, the method is applied to a scenario that a plurality of transmission and reception points TRP send signals to a terminal device through a physical downlink shared channel PDSCH, where the first signal and the second signal are both signals to be sent to the terminal device by a first TRP, or the first signal is a signal to be sent to the terminal device by a second TRP, and the second signal is a signal to be sent to the terminal device by a third TRP; or, the method is applied to a scenario that a single downlink control information DCI schedules a multi-slot PDSCH, and the first signal and the second signal are carried on different PDSCHs; alternatively, the method is applied to a transmission scenario based on repetition type B, the first signal and the second signal being signals transmitted with different TRPs; alternatively, the method is applied to a side chain transmission scenario, where the first signal and the second signal are carried on different physical side link feedback channels PSFCH.

In a possible implementation manner, the processing module is specifically configured to puncture a portion of the first signal if the length of the first signal is greater than or equal to a length threshold.

Regarding the technical effects brought about by the seventh aspect or various alternative embodiments, reference may be made to the description of the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementation.

In an eighth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, including: the processing module is used for discarding the first signal under the condition that the wave beams of the first signal and the second signal to be transmitted back to back are different; the length of the first signal is smaller than a length threshold value, and the length of the second signal is larger than or equal to the length threshold value; and the receiving and transmitting module is used for transmitting the second signal.

Regarding the technical effects brought about by the eighth aspect or various alternative embodiments, reference may be made to the description of the technical effects of the second aspect or corresponding implementation.

In a ninth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, including: the receiving and transmitting module is used for transmitting the third signal and delaying the transmission of the fourth signal under the condition that the wave beams of the third signal and the fourth signal to be transmitted back to back are different; the transmission time of the third signal is before the transmission time of the fourth signal.

Regarding the technical effects brought about by the ninth aspect or various alternative embodiments, reference may be made to the description of the technical effects of the third aspect or corresponding implementation.

In a tenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, including: the receiving and transmitting module is used for receiving the first signals and the second signals with different wave beams back to back; a portion of the first signal is punctured; and the processing module is used for decoding the first signal.

In one possible implementation, the transmission time of the first signal is after the transmission time of the second signal; the first signal is punctured with the first one or more OFDM symbols.

Regarding the technical effects brought about by the tenth aspect or various alternative embodiments, reference may be made to the description of the technical effects of the fourth aspect or corresponding implementation.

In an eleventh aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, including: the receiving and transmitting module is used for receiving a second signal sent by the network equipment; the second signal is an undeployed signal in signals with different beams to be transmitted back to back by the network equipment; the length of the second signal is greater than or equal to a length threshold; and the processing module is used for decoding the second signal.

Regarding the technical effects brought about by the eleventh aspect or various alternative embodiments, reference may be made to the description of the technical effects of the fifth aspect or corresponding implementation.

In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, including: a transceiver module, configured to receive, back-to-back, a third signal and a fourth signal with different beams, where the fourth signal is delayed to be transmitted, and a transmission time of the third signal is before a transmission time of the fourth signal; and the processing module is used for decoding the third signal.

Regarding the technical effects brought about by the twelfth aspect or various alternative embodiments, reference may be made to the description of the technical effects of the sixth aspect or corresponding implementation manner.

In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a communications device comprising a processor operable to execute computer-executable instructions stored in a memory, to cause a method as shown in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or to cause a method as shown in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or to cause a method as shown in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or to cause a method as shown in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, or to cause a method as shown in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect, or to cause a method as shown in the sixth aspect or any possible implementation of the sixth aspect.

In the embodiment of the present application, in the process of executing the above method, the process of sending information in the above method may be understood as a process of outputting information based on an instruction of a processor. In outputting the information, the processor outputs the information to the transceiver for transmission by the transceiver. This information, after being output by the processor, may also need to be subjected to other processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, when the processor receives input information, the transceiver receives the information and inputs it to the processor. Further, after the transceiver receives the information, the information may need to be further processed before being input to the processor.

Operations such as sending and/or receiving, etc., referred to by a processor, may be generally understood as processor-based instruction output if not specifically stated or if not contradicted by actual or inherent logic in the relevant description.

In implementation, the processor may be a processor dedicated to performing the methods, or may be a processor that executes computer instructions in a memory to perform the methods, such as a general-purpose processor. For example, the processor may also be configured to execute a program stored in the memory, which when executed, causes the communication device to perform the method as described above in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device.

In one possible implementation, the memory is located within the communication device.

In the embodiments of the present application, the processor and the memory may also be integrated in one device, i.e. the processor and the memory may also be integrated together.

In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver for receiving a message or transmitting a message, etc.

In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising processing circuitry and interface circuitry for obtaining data or outputting data; the processing circuitry is to perform the respective method as shown in the above-described first aspect or any of the possible implementations of the first aspect, or the processing circuitry is to perform the respective method as shown in the above-described second aspect or any of the possible implementations of the second aspect, or the processing circuitry is to perform the respective method as shown in the above-described third aspect or any of the possible implementations of the fourth aspect, or the processing circuitry is to perform the respective method as shown in the above-described fifth aspect or any of the possible implementations of the fifth aspect, or the processing circuitry is to perform the respective method as shown in the above-described sixth aspect or any of the possible implementations of the sixth aspect.

In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium for storing a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes a method as shown in the above-described first aspect or any of the possible implementations of the first aspect, or causes a method as shown in the above-described second aspect or any of the possible implementations of the third aspect, or causes a method as shown in the above-described fourth aspect or any of the possible implementations of the fourth aspect, or causes a method as shown in the above-described fifth aspect or any of the possible implementations of the fifth aspect, or causes a method as shown in the above-described sixth aspect or any of the possible implementations of the sixth aspect, to be performed.

In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising a computer program or computer code which, when run on a computer, causes the method as shown in the above-mentioned first aspect or any of the possible implementations of the first aspect or the method as shown in the above-mentioned second aspect or any of the possible implementations of the third aspect or the method as shown in the above-mentioned fourth aspect or any of the possible implementations of the fourth aspect or the method as shown in the above-mentioned fifth aspect or any of the possible implementations of the fifth aspect to be performed.

Drawings

In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments or the background of the present application, the following description will describe the drawings that are required to be used in the embodiments or the background of the present application.

Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system provided in the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another communication system architecture provided herein;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are comparative examples of a first signal provided by an embodiment of the present application and a first signal of a punctured section;

FIG. 5 is an example of a cyclic mapping provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is an example of sequential mapping provided by an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is an example of single DCI scheduling multi-slot PDSCH provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is an example of introducing gap between eccas provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 19 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 23 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device 230 according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 24 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device 240 according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The terms "first" and "second" and the like in the description, claims and drawings of the present application are used for distinguishing between different objects and not for describing a particular sequential order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. Such as a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to the list of steps or elements but may include other steps or elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

The terminology used in the following embodiments of the application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary. It should also be understood that the term "and/or" as used in this application refers to and encompasses any or all possible combinations of one or more of the listed items. For example, "a and/or B" may represent: only a, only B and both a and B are present, wherein a, B may be singular or plural. The term "plurality" as used in this application refers to two or more.

Reference herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Those of skill in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

The network architecture to which the present application relates will be described in detail below.

The technical scheme provided by the application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (frequency division duplex, FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (time division duplex, TDD), universal mobile telecommunications system (universal mobile telecommunication system, UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (worldwide interoperability for microwave access, wiMAX) telecommunications system, fifth generation (5th generation,5G) telecommunications system or New Radio (NR), as well as other future telecommunications systems such as 6G, etc. The communication system applicable to the technical scheme provided by the application comprises at least two entities, wherein one entity (such as a base station) can send signals and realize beam switching, and the other entity (such as user equipment) can receive signals. It should be appreciated that the technical solutions provided herein are applicable to any communication system comprising at least two entities as described above and involving beam switching.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 1, the communication system includes one or more network devices (e.g., base stations), only one of which is shown in fig. 1 as an example; and one or more user equipments connected to the network device, in fig. 1, only four user equipments are taken as examples, i.e. user equipment 1 to user equipment 4.

Wherein the network device may be a device capable of communicating with the user device. The network device may be any device with a radio transceiver function, which may be a base station, an access point or a transmission and reception point (transmission reception point, TRP) or may be a device in an access network that communicates with a user equipment over an air interface through one or more sectors (cells), etc., which is not limited in this application. For example, the base station may be an evolved base station (evolutional Node B, eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, or a relay station or access point, or a next generation base station (gNB) in a 5G network, or the like. It will be appreciated that the base station may also be a base station in a future evolved public land mobile network (public land mobile network, PLMN), etc.

Optionally, the network device may also be an access node, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, etc. in a wireless local area network (wireless fidelity, wiFi) system.

Optionally, the network device may also be a wireless controller in a cloud wireless access network (cloud radio access network, CRAN) scenario.

Alternatively, in some deployments of base stations, the base stations may include Centralized Units (CUs), distributed Units (DUs), and the like. In other deployments of base stations, CUs may also be divided into CU-Control Plane (CP) and CU-User Plane (UP), etc. In other deployments of the base station, the base station may also be an open radio access network (ora) architecture, and the specific deployment manner of the base station is not limited in this application.

Among them, a User Equipment (UE) may be referred to as a terminal device. The user equipment in the present application may be a device with a radio transceiver function, and may communicate with one or more Core Network (CN) devices (or may also be referred to as core devices) via an access network device (or may also be referred to as an access device) in a radio access network (radioaccess network, RAN). The user device may send uplink signals to the network device and/or receive downlink signals from the network device. The user equipment can comprise a mobile phone, a car, a tablet personal computer, an intelligent sound box, a train detector, a gas station and the like, and the main functions comprise collecting data (part of the user equipment), receiving control information and downlink data of the network equipment, and transmitting uplink data to the network equipment. Alternatively, the user equipment may also be referred to as an access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless network device, user agent, user equipment, or the like. Alternatively, the user device may be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, hand-held or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water surface (such as ships, etc.); but may also be deployed in the air (e.g., on aircraft, balloon, satellite, etc.). Optionally, the user device may be a handheld device with a wireless communication function, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device or an internet of things, a terminal in the internet of vehicles, a 5G network, a terminal in any form in a future network, or the like, which is not limited in this application.

Optionally, in the communication system shown in fig. 1, the user equipment and the user equipment may further communicate through a device-to-device (D2D), a vehicle-to-device (V2X), or a machine-to-machine (machine to machine, M2M) technology, and the communication method between the user equipment and the user equipment is not limited in this application.

In the communication system shown in fig. 1, a network device and any user equipment may be used to perform the method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is a schematic architecture diagram of another communication system provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 2, the communication system includes one or more network devices (e.g., base stations), and only three network devices are exemplified in fig. 2, namely, a network device 1, a network device 2, and a network device 3; and one or more user devices in communication with the network device, of which only one user device is exemplified in fig. 1, namely user device 5. The communication system shown in fig. 2 is an example of a downlink transmission system based on multi-station cooperation. In the communication system shown in fig. 2, a plurality of network devices cooperate to provide a communication service for the same user device. A scenario in the communication system in fig. 2, applicable to a plurality of transmission reception points (transmission reception point, TRP) for transmitting signals to a terminal device through a physical downlink shared channel (physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH), for example, a scenario in which M-TRP PDSCH repetition (repetition) operation is implemented.

The signals mentioned in the present invention may be downlink communication channels, such as PDSCH and PDCCH, downlink reference signals, such as synchronization signal block (synchronization signal block, SSB), channel state information reference signal (channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS), tracking reference signal (trackingreference signal, TRS), phase tracking reference signal (channel-state information reference signal, PT-RS), demodulation reference signal (demodulation reference signal, DMRS) of PDSCH and DMRS of physical downlink control channel (physical downlink control channel, PDCCH), and uplink channels or uplink reference signals, such as physical uplink control channel (physical uplink control channel, PUCCH), physical random access channel (physical random access channel, PRACH), physical uplink shared channel (physical uplink sharedchannel, PUSCH), and channel sounding reference signal (Sounding Reference Signal, SRS).

In the communication system shown in fig. 2, the network device and any user device may be used to perform the method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

As described above in the background, since beam switching cannot be completed in CP time, beam switching is likely to affect communication quality, and even successful transmission of data cannot be guaranteed. The communication method provided by the application can reduce the influence of beam switching on communication quality. The following describes a communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 3, the method includes:

301. the network device punctures a portion of the first signal if the beams of the first signal and the second signal to be transmitted back-to-back are different.

Puncturing a portion of the first signal means that the first signal does not transmit any information on one or more symbols in its corresponding time domain. Alternatively, a portion of the OFDM symbols of the first signal are discarded, i.e., the OFDM symbols of the first signal are reduced. Puncturing the first signal may be considered as discarding (drop) a portion of the first signal. In this application, OFDM symbols are the same concept as symbol.

Fig. 4A and 4B are comparative examples of a first signal and a first signal of a punctured portion provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 4A, 401 represents a first signal; 402 represents a first signal of a punctured portion, 4021 represents a portion (one or more symbols) of the first signal that is located at a first or first N symbols (N is a positive integer) of the first signal, 4022 represents a portion (one or more symbols) of the first signal that is not punctured. If a signal is punctured by a part, the number of OFDM symbols corresponding to the signal is reduced, because any information is not transmitted on a plurality of OFDM symbols corresponding to the punctured part of the signal, and information is only transmitted on a plurality of OFDM symbols corresponding to the unpunctured part of the signal. For example, the network device sends the second signal before sending the first signal punctured by a portion, where the first signal corresponds to K OFDM symbols, and after the first signal is punctured by a portion, the first signal corresponds to F OFDM symbols, where K and F are integers greater than 0, and K is greater than F. As can be seen from fig. 4A, the length of the unpunctured portion 4022 of the first signal is shorter than the length of the first signal 401, indicating that the number of OFDM symbols corresponding to the first signal of the punctured portion is less than the number of OFDM symbols corresponding to the first signal. The punctured portion of the first signal corresponds to an increase in the time interval between the first signal and the second signal such that beam switching can be accomplished within said time interval. Where N may be related to the subcarrier spacing of the signal or N is a predefined value.

As shown in fig. 4B, 403 represents a first signal; 404 denotes the first signal of the punctured part, 4041 denotes the unpunctured part(s) of the first signal, 4042 denotes the punctured part(s) of the first signal, said punctured part being located at the last N symbols (N is a positive integer) of the first signal. As can be seen from fig. 4B, the length of the unpunctured portion 4041 of the first signal is shorter than the length of the first signal 403, indicating that the number of OFDM symbols corresponding to the first signal of the punctured portion is less than the number of OFDM symbols corresponding to the first signal. The number of corresponding OFDM symbols is smaller in the first signal of which the punctured portion is punctured than in the first signal, so that a plurality of OFDM symbols corresponding to the first signal are discarded, and the beam switching operation can be started earlier. The beam switching time periods respectively corresponding to the first signal transmission and the second signal transmission and the first signal transmission and the second signal transmission of the punctured part are described below in combination with two examples. Example 1, a network device sends a first signal and then sends a second signal, where the first signal corresponds to k symbols, and k is an integer greater than 1; the network device transmits the second signal immediately after transmitting the first signal, so that the duration in which the network device performs beam switching is CP of the second signal. In this example, the network device needs to complete beam switching within the duration corresponding to the CP of the second signal. For example 2, the network device first transmits a first signal of a punctured portion, and then transmits a second signal, the first signal of the punctured portion corresponds to (k-2) symbols, and the first signal of the punctured portion corresponds to 2 symbols; the network device sends the second signal immediately after sending the unpunctured portion of the first signal, so that the duration of the network device performing beam switching is CP of the second signal plus 2 symbols corresponding to the punctured portion of the first signal. As can be seen from comparison of examples 2 and 1, beam switching is achieved by sending the punctured first signal more time. Where N may be related to the subcarrier spacing of the signal or N is a predefined value.

In one possible implementation manner, the first signal is the signal with a later start time of two adjacent or back-to-back signals, or the first signal is the signal with an earlier start time of two adjacent or back-to-back signals, or the first signal is the signal with a longer time domain length of two adjacent or back-to-back signals, or the first signal is the signal with a shorter time domain length of two adjacent or back-to-back signals.

In one possible implementation, the first signal has a higher priority than the second signal. According to the practical application scene, the network device can puncture signals with higher or lower priority among signals with different beams to be transmitted back to back. Table 1 is an example of a signal priority provided in an embodiment of the present application. In table 1, the highest priority (i.e., priority 0) signal includes: CSI-RS and SSB performing layer 1 reference signal received power (L1-reference signal receiving power, L1-RSRP) measurements; the signals of priority 1 include: control resource set (control resource set, CORESET) 0; the signals of priority 2 include: CORESET N, n=1, 2, …; the signals of priority 3 include: CSI-RS for tracking (tracking) or channel quality indication (channel quality indicator, CQI), i.e., CSI-RS for tracking/CQI; the signals of priority 4 include: PDSCHDMRS; the signals of priority 4 include: PDSCH data symbol (data symbol). It should be understood that in practical applications, the priorities of the various downlink signals may be configured according to actual needs, which is not limited in this application.

TABLE 1

Priority level	Signal signal
		0	SSB，CSI-RS for L1-RSRP
1	CORESET 0
		2	CORESET N，N＝1,2，…
3	CSI-RS for tracing/CQI
		4	PDSCH DMRS
5	PDSCH data symbol)

In one possible implementation, the priority of the first signal is the same as the priority of the second signal, and the transmission time of the first signal is before the transmission time of the second signal or the transmission time of the first signal is after the transmission time of the second signal. In these embodiments, when the network device is to transmit signals with two different beams back to back, if the priorities of the two signals are the same, the network device may puncture the signals with the front or back transmission time of the two signals. In some embodiments, the transmission time of the first signal is after the transmission time of the second signal; the portion of the puncture first signal may be: the first OFDM symbols of the first signal are punctured (see fig. 4A). That is, the first signal is punctured into the first OFDM symbol of the plurality of OFDM symbols. In some embodiments, the transmission time of the first signal is before the transmission time of the second signal; the portion of the puncture first signal may be: the last several OFDM symbols of the first signal are punctured (see fig. 4B). That is, the last OFDM symbol in time sequence among the plurality of OFDM symbols corresponding to the first signal is punctured. Several symbols in a specific puncture first signal can be configured according to actual requirements. The punctured symbol in the first signal may be positively correlated with the length of the first signal, or may be negatively correlated with the length of the CP of the first signal, or may be a fixed number N. N may be 1, 2, 3, etc., and is not limited in this application.

302. The network device sends the punctured first signal to the user device.

In the embodiment of the application, under the condition that the wave beams of the first signal and the second signal to be transmitted back to back are different, part of the first signal is punctured; this allows more time to effect beam switching; the influence of beam switching on the communication quality can be reduced.

The communication method flow in fig. 3 can be applied to a scenario where any beam switching cannot be completed in CP time. Examples of some possible application scenarios are presented below.

Example 1:

the communication method flow in fig. 3 is applied to a scenario in which a plurality of TRP (M-TRP PDSCH) transmits signals to a terminal device through PDSCH, for example, a scenario in which M-TRP PDSCH repetition (repetition) operation is implemented. In example 1, the first signal and the second signal are both signals to be transmitted to the terminal device by a first TRP, or the first signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a second TRP, and the second signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a third TRP. For example, when a first TRP is to transmit a first signal and a second signal back-to-back, a portion of the first signal may be punctured. For another example, when the first signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by the second TRP and the second signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by the third TRP are signals to be transmitted back to the same terminal device and the beams are different, the second TRP punctures a part of the first signal. It should be understood that for M-TRP PDSCH repetition, PDSCH of a certain TRP of the procedure, or one PDSCH with a later transmission time of the procedure (if PDSCH is too short, direct drop may be specified).

M-TRP PDSCH repetition can be divided into two schemes, one scheme is cyclic mapping (sequential mapping), and the other scheme is sequential mapping. Fig. 5 is an example of a cyclic mapping provided by an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 6 is an example of sequential mapping provided by an embodiment of the present application. In fig. 5 and 6, each rectangular frame represents one signal (e.g., subcarrier) transmitted by one TRP through the PDSCH, and an oval shape represents the direction of the beam. In fig. 5, 501 and 503 represent signals transmitted by TRP1 through PDSCH, and 502 and 503 represent signals transmitted by TRP2 through PDSCH. Illustratively, the first signal may be a signal represented by any one of 501, 502, 503, 504, and the second signal may be a signal that is adjacent to the first signal, either back or front of the second signal. In fig. 6, 601 and 602 represent signals transmitted by TRP3 through PDSCH, and 603 and 604 represent signals transmitted by TRP4 through PDSCH. For example, the first signal is a signal represented by 603, and the second signal is a signal represented by 604. For another example, the first signal is a signal represented by 604, and the second signal is a signal represented by 603. For another example, the first signal is a signal represented by 602, and the second signal is a signal represented by 603. For another example, the first signal is a signal represented by 603, and the second signal is a signal represented by 602. As can be seen from comparing fig. 5 and 6, the specific difference between cyclic mapping and sequential mapping is that the mapping order between TRP and beam (beam) is different. As shown in fig. 5, any two adjacent beams of signals transmitted through PDSCH are different. The method can be extended to any N PDSCH, N being a positive integer. In addition, the method can be also suitable for channel repeated transmission of other M-TRPs, such as PUSCH, PUCCH and the like.

Example 2:

the communication method flow in fig. 3 is applied to a scenario where a single DCI (single DCI) schedules a multi-slot PDSCH (multi-slot PDSCH). Fig. 7 is an example of single DCI scheduling multi-slot PDSCH provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 7, the beam directions corresponding to any two adjacent PDSCHs of single DCI scheduling are different. For example, the first signal may be PDSCH1 and PDSCH3, and the second signal may be a signal adjacent to the first signal that is back or front of the second signal. For another example, the first signal may be PDSCH2 and PDSCH4, and the second signal may be a signal adjacent to the first signal that is back or front of the second signal.

The method can be extended to any N PDSCH, N being a positive integer.

Example 3:

when the base station performs M-TRP scheduling transmission PUSCH, PDSCH, PUCCH, it is necessary to ensure that a predetermined Gap is satisfied between adjacent channels to perform beam switching. Alternatively, when the base station performs single DCI (single DCI) scheduling of the multi-slot PDSCH, it is necessary to ensure that a predetermined Gap is satisfied between adjacent channels to perform beam switching. Alternatively, the base station needs to ensure that there is a certain gap between two adjacent transmissions to switch the beam.

Example 4:

the communication method in fig. 3 is applied to a transmission scenario based on the repetition type B (repetition type B), where the first signal and the second signal are signals transmitted with different TRPs. In some embodiments, a gap (gap) may be introduced for repetition type B, and the gap symbol(s) may occur at the time of TRP switching.

Example 5:

the communication method in fig. 3 is applied to a side link (sidelink) transmission scenario, where the first signal and the second signal are carried on different side link channels. For sidelink, the number of gap symbols between two adjacent signals with different beams carried by a side link channel can be increased according to actual needs.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in fig. 8 is one possible implementation of the method flow in fig. 3. As shown in fig. 8, the method includes:

801. the network device compares priorities of the first signal and the second signal in case that beams of the first signal and the second signal to be transmitted back-to-back are different.

In some embodiments, the network device may compare the priorities of the first signal and the second signal according to table 1.

802. The network device punctures a portion of the first signals if the first signals have a higher priority than the second signals.

Step 802 may be replaced with: the network device punctures a portion of the first signals if the first signals have a lower priority than the second signals.

Step 802 may be replaced with: the network device punctures a portion of the first signal before the transmission time in a case where the priority of the first signal is equal to the priority of the second signal. It will be appreciated that the time of transmission of the first signal is before the time of transmission of the second signal.

Step 802 may be replaced with: the network device punctures a part of the first signal having a later transmission time in a case where the priority of the first signal is equal to the priority of the second signal. It will be appreciated that the time of transmission of the first signal is subsequent to the time of transmission of the second signal.

803. The network device sends the punctured first signal to the terminal device.

The network device may also send a second signal to the terminal device. The beam on which the network device transmits the first signal is different from the beam on which the second signal is transmitted.

In the embodiment of the application, the network device can accurately and rapidly determine the punctured signal according to the priorities and the sending time of the first signal and the second signal so as to have more time to realize beam switching; the influence of beam switching on the communication quality can be reduced.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in fig. 9 is one possible implementation of the method flow in fig. 3. As shown in fig. 9, the method includes:

901. and the network equipment judges whether to discard the first signal or the second signal under the condition that the wave beams of the first signal and the second signal to be transmitted back to back are different.

If yes, go to step 902; if not, go to step 903.

In some embodiments, the network device may discard a signal of the first signal and the second signal having a length less than a length threshold. For example, if the length of the first signal is less than the length threshold and the length of the second signal is greater than or equal to the length threshold, the network device determines to discard (drop) the first signal. For another example, if the length of the first signal is greater than or equal to a length threshold and the length of the second signal is less than the length threshold, the network device determines to discard (drop) the second signal. Wherein the threshold may be configured by base station higher layer signaling or a predefined value.

902. The network device discards the first signal.

The length of the first signal is less than a length threshold and the length of the second signal is greater than or equal to the length threshold. Discarding the first signal by the network device is understood to mean that the network device no longer transmits the first signal, such that back-to-back transmission of the first signal and the second signal is avoided.

903. The network device compares the priorities of the first signal and the second signal.

904. The network device punctures a portion of the first signals if the first signals have a higher priority than the second signals.

Step 904 may refer to step 802.

905. The network device sends the punctured first signal to the terminal device.

In the embodiment of the present application, signals with a length smaller than the length threshold are preferentially discarded, so that beam switching operation can be avoided. If the lengths of the two signals to be transmitted back to back are both greater than or equal to the length threshold, one of the signals is punctured. Thus, less useful information carried by the punctured signal can be avoided, and resource overhead is reduced.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 10, the method includes:

1001. in case the beams of the first signal and the second signal to be transmitted back-to-back are different, the network device discards the first signal.

The length of the first signal is smaller than a length threshold value, and the length of the second signal is larger than or equal to the length threshold value.

1002. The network device sends a second signal to the terminal device.

In one possible implementation manner, the method is applied to a scenario that a plurality of TRPs transmit signals to a terminal device through PDSCH, where the first signal and the second signal are both signals to be transmitted to the terminal device by a first TRP, or the first signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a second TRP, and the second signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a third TRP; alternatively, the method is applied to a scenario in which a single DCI schedules a multi-slot PDSCH, and the first signal and the second signal are carried on different PDSCH; or, the method is applied to a transmission scene based on repetition type B, and the first signal and the second signal are signals transmitted by different TRPs; alternatively, the method is applied to a side chain transmission scenario, where the first signal and the second signal are carried by different PSFCHs.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 11, the method includes:

1101. in case the beams of the third signal and the fourth signal to be transmitted back-to-back are different, the network device sends the third signal to the terminal device and delays sending the fourth signal.

The transmission time of the third signal is before the transmission time of the fourth signal. It will be appreciated that the network device may delay (postpon) the later one of the transmit times when it is to transmit signals in the two beams differently back-to-back, e.g., back-off Xsymbol, which may ensure that beam switches are completed. Delaying transmission of one of the two different beam signals to be transmitted back-to-back is essentially increasing the gap between the two signals. For example, for NR-U (5G newradio in unlicensed spectrum), for directional listen-before-talk (listen before talk, LBT), especially per beam LBT (i.e., per beam LBT), a gap needs to be introduced between enhanced idle channel listening (enhanced clear channel assessment, eCCA). Fig. 12 is an example of introducing gap between eccas provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 12, if the listening beam directions corresponding to two neighboring eccas are different, a gap may exist between any two neighboring eccas. For example, a gap between eCCA-1 and eCCA-2 may be understood as a delay in sending eCCA-2 for the duration corresponding to the gap. Also for example, a gap between eCCA-2 and eCCA-3 may be understood as a delay in sending eCCA-3 for the duration corresponding to the gap.

In one possible implementation manner, the method is applied to a scenario that a plurality of TRPs transmit signals to a terminal device through PDSCH, where the third signal and the fourth signal are both signals to be transmitted to the terminal device by a fourth TRP, or the third signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a fifth TRP, and the fourth signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a sixth TRP; alternatively, the method is applied to a scenario in which a single DCI schedules a multi-slot PDSCH, and the third signal and the fourth signal are carried on different PDSCH; alternatively, the method is applied to a transmission scenario based on repetition type B, and the third signal and the fourth signal are carried on different PDSCH; alternatively, the method is applied to a side chain transmission scenario, where the third signal and the fourth signal are carried by different PSFCHs. In this implementation, the delay in sending the fourth signal may allow the network device more time to perform beam switching, which may reduce the impact of beam switching on communication quality.

In one possible implementation, the delaying the sending of the fourth signal includes: after the beam switching is completed, the fourth signal is transmitted. In this implementation, after the beam switch is completed, a fourth signal is sent; the problem of transmitting the fourth signal without switching the beam can be avoided.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in fig. 13 is one possible implementation of the method flow in fig. 11. As shown in fig. 13, the method includes:

1301. and the network equipment judges whether to discard the third signal or the fourth signal under the condition that the beams of the third signal and the fourth signal to be transmitted back to back are different.

If yes, go to step 1302; if not, go to step 1303. Step 1301 can refer to step 901.

1302. The network device discards the third signal.

The length of the third signal is less than a length threshold and the length of the fourth signal is greater than or equal to the length threshold. Step 1302 may refer to step 902.

1303. The network device transmits the third signal to the terminal device and delays transmitting the fourth signal.

In the embodiment of the present application, signals with a length smaller than the length threshold are preferentially discarded, so that beam switching operation can be avoided. If the lengths of the two signals to be transmitted back to back are larger than or equal to the length threshold value, delaying the transmission of a fourth signal; more time can be reserved for the network device to perform beam switching, and the influence of beam switching on communication quality can be reduced.

The foregoing embodiments mainly describe the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application from the network device side. The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is mainly described below from the terminal device side.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in fig. 14 may be regarded as a communication method flow performed by the terminal device in fig. 3. As shown in fig. 14, the method includes:

1401. the terminal device receives the first signal and the second signal with different wave beams back to back.

A portion of the first signal is punctured.

1402. The terminal device decodes the first signal.

In one possible implementation, the first signal has a higher priority than the second signal. In this implementation, the first signal with higher or lower priority is delayed to be sent; it is possible to accurately and quickly determine which signal to delay transmission.

In one possible implementation, the priority of the first signal is the same as the priority of the second signal, and the transmission time of the first signal is before the transmission time of the second signal or the transmission time of the first signal is after the transmission time of the second signal. In this implementation, when the priority of the first signal and the priority of the second signal are the same, the first signal whose transmission time is forward or backward is punctured; the puncture signal can be accurately and quickly determined.

In one possible implementation, the transmission time of the first signal is after the transmission time of the second signal; the first one or more OFDM symbols of the first signal are punctured. In this implementation, the first one or more OFDM symbols of the first signal are punctured; so that there is a longer time to complete the beam switching; thus, the terminal equipment can successfully receive all useful information sent by the network equipment, and the influence of beam switching on communication quality can be reduced.

In one possible implementation, the transmission time of the first signal is before the transmission time of the second signal; the last one or more OFDM symbols of the first signal are punctured.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in fig. 15 can be regarded as a communication method flow performed by the terminal device in fig. 10. As shown in fig. 15, the method includes:

1501. The terminal device receives a second signal sent by the network device.

The second signal is an undeployed signal in signals with different beams to be transmitted back to back by the network equipment; the length of the second signal is greater than or equal to a length threshold. A first signal to be transmitted back-to-back with the second signal by the network device is dropped (drop), the length of the first signal being less than the length threshold.

1502. The terminal device decodes the second signal.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in fig. 16 can be regarded as a communication method flow performed by the terminal device in fig. 11. As shown in fig. 16, the method includes:

1601. the terminal device receives the third signal and the fourth signal in different beams back to back.

The fourth signal is delayed and transmitted, and the transmission time of the third signal is before the transmission time of the fourth signal

1602. The terminal device decodes the third signal.

The communication apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present application, that is, the network device and the terminal device that implement the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application will be described below.

Fig. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application, where the communication apparatus may be used to perform the operations performed by the network device in the above-described method embodiment. For example, the communication apparatus may be used to perform the methods performed by the network devices shown in fig. 3, 8, 9. As shown in fig. 17, the communication device includes:

a processing module 1701, configured to puncture a part of the first signal and the second signal to be transmitted back-to-back when beams of the first signal and the second signal are different;

the transceiver module 1702 is configured to transmit the first signal after puncturing.

In one possible implementation, the first signal has a higher priority than the second signal.

In one possible implementation, the priority of the first signal is the same as the priority of the second signal, and the transmission time of the first signal is before the transmission time of the second signal or the transmission time of the first signal is after the transmission time of the second signal.

In one possible implementation, the transmission time of the first signal is after the transmission time of the second signal; the processing module 1701 is specifically configured to puncture one or more OFDM symbols at the forefront of the first signal.

In one possible implementation, the processing module 1701 is specifically configured to puncture a portion of the first signal if a length of the first signal is greater than or equal to a length threshold.

Fig. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application, where the communication apparatus may be used to perform the operations performed by the network device in the above-described method embodiment. For example, the communication apparatus may be used to perform the method performed by the network device shown in fig. 10. As shown in fig. 18, the communication apparatus includes:

a processing module 1801, configured to discard the first signal and the second signal to be transmitted back-to-back if the beams of the first signal and the second signal are different; the length of the first signal is smaller than a length threshold value, and the length of the second signal is larger than or equal to the length threshold value;

the transceiver module 1802 is configured to transmit the second signal.

Fig. 19 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application, where the communication apparatus may be used to perform the operations performed by the network device in the above-described method embodiment. For example, the communication apparatus may be used to perform the method performed by the network device shown in fig. 11 or fig. 13. As shown in fig. 18, the communication apparatus includes:

A transceiver module 1901, configured to transmit a third signal and delay transmission of a fourth signal when beams of the third signal and the fourth signal to be transmitted back-to-back are different; the transmission time of the third signal is before the transmission time of the fourth signal.

Fig. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application, where the communication apparatus may be used to perform the operations performed by the user equipment in the above method embodiment. For example, the communication device may be used to perform the method performed by the user equipment shown in fig. 14. As shown in fig. 20, the communication device includes:

a transceiver module 2001 for receiving the first signal and the second signal with different beams back to back; a portion of the first signal is punctured;

the processing module 2002 is configured to decode the first signal.

Fig. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, where the communication device may be used to perform the operations performed by the user equipment in the above method embodiment. For example, the communication device may be used to perform the method performed by the user equipment shown in fig. 15. As shown in fig. 21, the communication device includes:

a transceiver module 2101, configured to receive a second signal sent by the network device; the second signal is an undeployed signal in signals with different beams to be transmitted back to back by the network equipment; the length of the second signal is greater than or equal to a length threshold;

a processing module 2102, configured to decode the second signal.

Fig. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, where the communication device may be used to perform the operations performed by the user equipment in the above method embodiment. For example, the communication device may be used to perform the method performed by the user equipment shown in fig. 16. As shown in fig. 22, the communication device includes:

A transceiver module 2201 configured to receive, back to back, a third signal and a fourth signal having different beams, the fourth signal being delayed for transmission, a transmission time of the third signal being before a transmission time of the fourth signal;

a processing module 2202, configured to decode the third signal.

In one possible implementation manner, the method is applied to a scenario that a plurality of TRPs transmit signals to a terminal device through PDSCH, where the third signal and the fourth signal are both signals to be transmitted to the terminal device by a fourth TRP, or the third signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a fifth TRP, and the fourth signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a sixth TRP; alternatively, the method is applied to a scenario in which a single DCI schedules a multi-slot PDSCH, and the third signal and the fourth signal are carried on different PDSCH; alternatively, the method is applied to a transmission scenario based on repetition type B, and the third signal and the fourth signal are carried on different PDSCH; alternatively, the method is applied to a side chain transmission scenario, where the third signal and the fourth signal are carried by different PSFCHs.

Fig. 23 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device 230 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication means in fig. 23 may be the above-mentioned user equipment. The communication means in fig. 23 may be the above-described network device.

As shown in fig. 23. The communications device 230 includes at least one processor 2320 and a transceiver 2310.

In some embodiments of the present application, the processor 2320 and the transceiver 2310 may be used to perform functions or operations performed by the network devices described above, and the like. The transceiver 2310 may perform one or more of the following: step 302 in fig. 3, step 803 in fig. 8, step 905 in fig. 9, step 1002 in fig. 10, step 1101 in fig. 11, step 1303 in fig. 13.

In other embodiments of the present application, the processor 2320 and the transceiver 2310 may be used to perform functions or operations performed by the terminal device described above, and the like. The transceiver 2310 may perform one or more of the following: step 1401 in fig. 14, step 1501 in fig. 15, and step 1601 in fig. 16.

The transceiver 2310 is used to communicate with other devices/apparatus over a transmission medium. The processor 2320 utilizes the transceiver 2310 to transmit and receive data and/or signaling and is used to implement the methods of the method embodiments described above. The processor 2320 may be used to perform operations other than transceiving operations.

Optionally, the communications device 230 may also include at least one memory 2330 for storing program instructions and/or data. Memory 2330 is coupled to processor 2320. The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which may be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms for information interaction between the devices, units, or modules. The processor 2320 may operate in conjunction with the memory 2330. Processor 2320 may execute program instructions stored in memory 2330. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

The specific connection medium between the transceiver 2310, the processor 2320 and the memory 2330 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. In the embodiment of the present application, the memory 2330, the processor 2320 and the transceiver 2310 are connected through the bus 2340, where the bus is shown by a thick line in fig. 23, and the connection manner between other components is only schematically illustrated, but not limited to. The bus may be classified as an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is shown in fig. 23, but not only one bus or one type of bus.

In the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of a method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be embodied directly in a hardware processor for execution, or in a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor for execution.

Fig. 24 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device 240 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 24, the communication device shown in fig. 24 includes a logic circuit 2401 and an interface 2402. The processing modules in fig. 17 to 22 may be implemented by logic circuit 2401, and the transceiver modules in fig. 17 to 22 may be implemented by interface 2402. The logic circuit 2401 may be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit, or a system on chip (SoC) chip, and the interface 2402 may be a communication interface, an input/output interface, or the like. In the embodiment of the application, the logic circuit and the interface may also be coupled to each other. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to specific connection manners of logic circuits and interfaces.

In some embodiments of the present application, the logic and interfaces may be used to perform the functions or operations performed by the user device described above, and the like.

In other embodiments of the present application, the logic and interfaces may be used to perform the functions or operations performed by the network devices described above, and the like.

The present application also provides a computer readable storage medium having computer code stored therein, which when run on a computer causes the computer to perform the method of the above-described embodiments.

The present application also provides a computer program product comprising computer code or a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the communication method in the above-described embodiments to be performed.

The application also provides a communication system which comprises the terminal equipment and the network equipment.

The foregoing is merely specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think about changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and the changes and substitutions are intended to be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

puncturing a portion of the first signal to be transmitted back-to-back in the event that the beams of the first and second signals are different;

and sending the first signal after puncture.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to puncturing a portion of the first signal, the method further comprises:

and determining the first signal to be punctured according to the priority of the first signal and the priority of the second signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to puncturing a portion of the first signal, the method further comprises:

and determining the first signal to be punctured according to the priority of the first signal and the priority of the second signal, and the sending time of the first signal and the sending time of the second signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission time of the first signal is after the transmission time of the second signal; the puncturing a portion of the first signal includes:

the first signal is punctured with the first one or more orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, OFDM, symbols.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is applied to a scenario in which a plurality of transmission and reception points TRP transmit signals to a terminal device through a physical downlink shared channel PDSCH, the first signal and the second signal are both signals to be transmitted to the terminal device by a first TRP, or the first signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a second TRP, and the second signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a third TRP;

or, the method is applied to a scenario that a single downlink control information DCI schedules a multi-slot PDSCH, and the first signal and the second signal are carried on different PDSCHs;

Alternatively, the method is applied to a transmission scenario based on repetition type B, the first signal and the second signal being signals transmitted with different TRPs;

alternatively, the method is applied to a side chain transmission scenario, where the first signal and the second signal are carried on different physical side link feedback channels PSFCH.

6. A method of communication, comprising:

discarding the first signal to be transmitted back-to-back in case the beams of the first signal and the second signal are different; the length of the first signal is smaller than a length threshold value, and the length of the second signal is larger than or equal to the length threshold value;

and transmitting the second signal.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the method is applied to a scenario in which a plurality of TRPs transmit signals to a terminal device through PDSCH, the first signal and the second signal are both signals to be transmitted to the terminal device by a first TRP, or the first signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a second TRP, and the second signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a third TRP;

alternatively, the method is applied to a scenario in which a single DCI schedules a multi-slot PDSCH, the first signal and the second signal being carried on different PDSCH;

alternatively, the method is applied to a side chain transmission scenario, where the first signal and the second signal are carried on different PSFCHs.

8. A method of communication, comprising:

transmitting a third signal and a fourth signal to be transmitted back-to-back and delaying transmission of the fourth signal in case that the beams of the third signal and the fourth signal are different; the transmission time of the third signal is before the transmission time of the fourth signal.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the method is applied to a scenario in which a plurality of TRPs transmit signals to a terminal device through PDSCH, and the third signal and the fourth signal are both signals to be transmitted to the terminal device by a fourth TRP, or the third signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a fifth TRP, and the fourth signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a sixth TRP;

alternatively, the method is applied to a scenario in which a single DCI schedules a multi-slot PDSCH, the third signal and the fourth signal being carried on different PDSCH;

Alternatively, the method is applied to a repetition type B based transmission scenario, the third signal and the fourth signal being carried on different PDSCH;

alternatively, the method is applied to a side chain transmission scenario, the third signal and the fourth signal being carried on different PSFCHs.

10. A method of communication, comprising:

receiving first and second signals of different beams back-to-back; a portion of the first signal is punctured;

the first signal is decoded.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first signal has a higher priority than or lower priority than the second signal.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the priority of the first signal is the same as the priority of the second signal, and wherein the time of transmission of the first signal is before the time of transmission of the second signal or wherein the time of transmission of the first signal is after the time of transmission of the second signal.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the transmission time of the first signal is after the transmission time of the second signal; the first signal is punctured with the first one or more OFDM symbols.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method is applied to a scenario in which a plurality of TRPs transmit signals to a terminal device through PDSCH, the first signal and the second signal are both signals to be transmitted to the terminal device by a first TRP, or the first signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a second TRP, and the second signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a third TRP;

15. A method of communication, comprising:

receiving a second signal sent by the network equipment; the second signal is an undeployed signal in signals with different beams to be transmitted back to back by the network equipment; the length of the second signal is greater than or equal to a length threshold;

Decoding the second signal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the two beams of different signals to be transmitted back-to-back by the network device comprise a first signal and the second signal;

the method is applied to a scene that a plurality of TRPs send signals to terminal equipment through a PDSCH, wherein the first signal and the second signal are signals to be sent to the terminal equipment by the first TRP, or the first signal is a signal to be sent to the terminal equipment by the second TRP, and the second signal is a signal to be sent to the terminal equipment by the third TRP;

17. A method of communication, comprising:

a third signal and a fourth signal with different back-to-back receiving beams, the fourth signal being delayed for transmission, the third signal having a transmission time that is before the transmission time of the fourth signal;

Decoding the third signal.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the method is applied to a scenario in which a plurality of TRPs transmit signals to a terminal device through PDSCH, and the third signal and the fourth signal are both signals to be transmitted to the terminal device by a fourth TRP, or the third signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a fifth TRP, and the fourth signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a sixth TRP;

19. A communication device, comprising:

the processing module is used for puncturing a part of the first signals under the condition that the beams of the first signals and the second signals to be transmitted back to back are different;

and the transceiver module is used for transmitting the first signal after puncture.

20. The communication apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first signal has a higher priority than or lower priority than the second signal.

21. The communication apparatus of claim 19, wherein the priority of the first signal and the priority of the second signal are the same, and wherein the transmission time of the first signal is before the transmission time of the second signal or wherein the transmission time of the first signal is after the transmission time of the second signal.

22. The communication apparatus of claim 19, wherein a transmission time of the first signal is subsequent to a transmission time of the second signal; the processing module is specifically configured to puncture one or more OFDM symbols at the forefront of the first signal.

23. The communication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the method is applied to a scenario in which a plurality of transmission reception points TRP transmit signals to a terminal device through a physical downlink shared channel PDSCH, the first signal and the second signal are both signals to be transmitted to the terminal device by a first TRP, or the first signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a second TRP, and the second signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a third TRP;

24. A communication device, comprising:

the processing module is used for discarding the first signal under the condition that the wave beams of the first signal and the second signal to be transmitted back to back are different; the length of the first signal is smaller than a length threshold value, and the length of the second signal is larger than or equal to the length threshold value;

and the receiving and transmitting module is used for transmitting the second signal.

25. The communication apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the method is applied to a scenario in which a plurality of TRPs transmit signals to a terminal device through PDSCH, the first signal and the second signal are both signals to be transmitted to the terminal device by a first TRP, or the first signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a second TRP, and the second signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a third TRP;

26. A communication device, comprising:

the receiving and transmitting module is used for transmitting the third signal and delaying the transmission of the fourth signal under the condition that the wave beams of the third signal and the fourth signal to be transmitted back to back are different; the transmission time of the third signal is before the transmission time of the fourth signal.

27. The communication apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the method is applied to a scenario in which a plurality of TRPs transmit signals to a terminal device through PDSCH, the third signal and the fourth signal are both signals to be transmitted to the terminal device by a fourth TRP, or the third signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a fifth TRP, and the fourth signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a sixth TRP;

28. A communication device, comprising:

the receiving and transmitting module is used for receiving the first signals and the second signals with different wave beams back to back; a portion of the first signal is punctured;

and the processing module is used for decoding the first signal.

29. The communication apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first signal has a higher priority than or lower priority than the second signal.

30. The communication apparatus of claim 28, wherein the priority of the first signal and the priority of the second signal are the same, and wherein the transmission time of the first signal is before the transmission time of the second signal or wherein the transmission time of the first signal is after the transmission time of the second signal.

31. The communication apparatus of claim 28, wherein a transmission time of the first signal is subsequent to a transmission time of the second signal; the first signal is punctured with the first one or more OFDM symbols.

32. The communication apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the method is applied to a scenario in which a plurality of TRPs transmit signals to a terminal device through PDSCH, the first signal and the second signal are both signals to be transmitted to the terminal device by a first TRP, or the first signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a second TRP, and the second signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a third TRP;

33. A communication device, comprising:

The receiving and transmitting module is used for receiving a second signal sent by the network equipment; the second signal is an undeployed signal in signals with different beams to be transmitted back to back by the network equipment; the length of the second signal is greater than or equal to a length threshold;

and the processing module is used for decoding the second signal.

34. The communication apparatus of claim 33, wherein the two beams of different signals to be transmitted back-to-back by the network device comprise a first signal and the second signal;

35. A communication device, comprising:

a transceiver module, configured to receive, back-to-back, a third signal and a fourth signal with different beams, where the fourth signal is delayed to be transmitted, and a transmission time of the third signal is before a transmission time of the fourth signal;

and the processing module is used for decoding the third signal.

36. The communication apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the method is applied to a scenario in which a plurality of TRPs transmit signals to a terminal device through PDSCH, the third signal and the fourth signal are both signals to be transmitted to the terminal device by a fourth TRP, or the third signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a fifth TRP, and the fourth signal is a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device by a sixth TRP;

37. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer readable storage medium has stored therein a computer program comprising program instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 18.