WO2024140366A1

WO2024140366A1 - Communication method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2024140366A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/140202
Authority: WO
Inventors: 宋治平; 张莉莉; 罗青全; 吴翔
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2022-12-29
Filing date: 2023-12-20
Publication date: 2024-07-04
Also published as: CN118283809A

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a network device determining to schedule, within a first time unit, a terminal device to perform uplink transmission by means of a data channel; if the first time unit overlaps with a second time unit, selecting a first carrier combination from carrier combinations supported by the terminal device, wherein the first carrier combination is a carrier combination comprising a control channel carrier, and the second time unit is a time unit during which a control channel is located; and sending first instruction information to the terminal device, wherein the first instruction information is used for instructing the terminal device to perform, within the first time unit, uplink transmission in at least one carrier in the first carrier combination by means of the data channel. In the present application, when the time unit during which the control channel is located overlaps with a time unit during which the data channel is located, whether there is an actual conflict between the control channel and the data channel can be determined without relying on the resource location of the control channel, thereby resolving the conflict between the channels in advance, and narrowing the range for conflict resolution.

Description

A communication method and device

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on December 29, 2022, with application number 202211706823.7 and application name “A Communication Method and Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference in this application.

Technical Field

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

Background technique

In the new radio (NR) system, the uplink transmission of the terminal device usually leads to insufficient uplink coverage of the base station due to power limitation, insufficient uplink (UL) spectrum, etc. To this end, the NR system introduces the supplementary uplink (SUL) technology, which can improve the uplink coverage of the base station by using the carrier corresponding to the lower frequency band of the long term evolution (LTE) system (such as 700 megahertz (MHz), 800MHz, 1.8 gigahertz (GHz), or 2.1GHz, etc.) for NR uplink transmission. That is, when the terminal device transmits UL data in the frequency band of the NR system (such as 2.6GHz, etc.), the terminal device can use the carrier in these lower frequency bands of the LTE system to transmit the UL data according to the channel status, etc., which requires the terminal device to dynamically switch between the two carriers. For example, the terminal device can switch from the 2.6GHz carrier to the 1.8GHz carrier.

Based on SUL and other technologies, flexible spectrum access (FSA) technology is currently being discussed. In FSA, the uplink data transmission of the terminal device can be dynamically switched among multiple uplink multi-carriers according to at least one of the carrier load conditions, time slot allocation conditions, channel conditions, and business requirements. That is, the terminal device can flexibly perform uplink multi-carrier dynamic switching between three or more carriers. However, when the terminal device switches between three or more carriers, conflicts in uplink transmission may occur, which is a problem that needs to be solved urgently.

Summary of the invention

The present application provides a communication method and device for resolving conflicts between channels.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising:

The network device determines to schedule the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel within the first time unit;

If the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, the network device selects a first carrier combination from the carrier combinations supported by the terminal device; the first carrier combination is a carrier combination including a control channel carrier; wherein the second time unit is a time unit where the control channel is located; the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device performs uplink transmission through a data channel in at least one carrier within the first time unit, and at least one carrier is located in the first carrier combination.

Through the method provided by the present application, when the second time unit where the control channel is located overlaps with the first time unit where the data channel is located, it is determined whether the control channel and the data channel actually conflict, regardless of the actual location of the control channel resources, and the conflict resolution process between the channels is completed in advance. If the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, that is, it is determined that the control channel and the data channel conflict, the network device can quickly select a carrier for the terminal device, and the network device can select a first carrier combination including a control channel carrier, so that the terminal device can transmit data information through the data channel in the carrier included in the first carrier combination, and can also transmit control information through the control channel in the control channel carrier included in the first carrier combination, thereby completing the conflict resolution process between the channels in advance and simplifying the behavior implementation of the network device and the terminal device.

In a possible implementation, the second time unit is a time slot, a sub-time slot, or a mini-time slot where the control channel is located.

In this implementation, since the second time unit is the time range where the control channel is located, it does not require complex calculations to finally determine the time domain resources actually occupied by the control channel. This can simplify the scope of conflict processing between data channels and control channels and improve the efficiency of conflict resolution.

In a possible implementation, the first time unit is a time slot, a sub-time slot, or a mini-time slot where the data channel is located; or, the first time unit is at least one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing OFDM symbol occupied by the data channel.

In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the network device sends a radio resource control RRC message to the terminal device; the RRC message is used to indicate the second time unit.

In this implementation, the second time unit can be semi-statically indicated through the RRC message, so that the terminal device can determine the position of the second time unit in advance, thereby simplifying the behavior of the terminal device.

In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the network device sends downlink control information DCI to the terminal device, where the DCI is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through a control channel in a control channel carrier within a second time unit.

In one possible implementation, the method also includes: if the first time unit and the second time unit do not overlap, the network device selects a second carrier combination from the carrier combinations supported by the terminal device; the second carrier combination is any carrier combination supported by the terminal device; the network device sends second indication information to the terminal device, and the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel in at least one carrier in the second carrier combination within the first time unit.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: a terminal device receives first indication information from a network device; the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through a data channel in at least one carrier within a first time unit, and the at least one carrier is located in a first carrier combination, and the first carrier combination is a carrier combination supported by the terminal device that includes a control channel carrier; the terminal device transmits data information through a data channel in at least one carrier within the first time unit according to the first indication information; the first time unit and the second time unit overlap, and the second time unit is the time unit where the control channel is located.

In a possible implementation manner, the second time unit is a time slot, a sub-time slot, or a mini-time slot where resources of the control channel are located.

In a possible implementation, the first time unit is a time slot, a sub-time slot, or a mini-time slot where resources of a data channel are located; or, the first time unit is at least one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing OFDM symbol occupied by a data channel.

In a possible implementation, the terminal device switches to the control channel carrier according to the first indication information.

In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receives a radio resource control RRC message from the network device; the RRC message is used to indicate the second time unit.

In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receives a DCI from the network device, where the DCI is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission via a control channel in a control channel carrier within a second time unit.

In one possible implementation, the method also includes: the terminal device receives second indication information from the network device, and if the first time unit and the second time unit do not overlap, the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through a data channel in at least one carrier in a second carrier combination; the second carrier combination is any carrier combination supported by the terminal device.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: a terminal device receiving first information from a network device; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first data information through a data channel within a first time unit;

The terminal device receives second information from the network device; the second information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first control information through the control channel within the second time unit; the second information includes K1, K1 is used to determine the second time unit; if the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, the terminal device sends the first control information and the first data information to the network device through the data channel.

Through this method, when judging whether the control channel and the data channel are on-link, it does not rely on the precise position of the time domain resources actually occupied by the control channel, but is based on the time range (i.e., the second time unit) where the control channel is located. Since the second time unit can be determined in advance compared to the time domain resources actually occupied by the control channel, the on-link conditions can be simplified, the probability and proportion of the control channel on-link can be effectively increased, and the uplink data channel capacity in scenarios such as FSA can be effectively improved.

In a possible implementation, the first time unit is a time slot, a sub-time slot, or a mini-time slot where the data channel is located;

Alternatively, the first time unit is at least one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing OFDM symbol occupied by the data channel.

In a possible implementation, if the first time unit does not overlap with the second time unit, the terminal device sends first data information to the network device through a data channel; and the terminal device sends first control information to the network device through a control channel.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: a network device sending first information to a terminal device; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first data information through a data channel within a first time unit;

The network device sends second information to the terminal device; the second information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit the first control information through the control channel within the second time unit; the second information includes K1, and K1 is used to determine the second time unit;

If the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, the network device receives the first control information and the first data information from the terminal device on the data channel.

In a possible implementation, if the first time unit does not overlap with the second time unit, the network device receives a signal from the data channel. The first data information of the terminal device; the network device receives the first control information from the terminal device on the control channel.

In a fifth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing any method provided in any one of the first to fourth aspects. The communication device can be implemented by hardware, or can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

In a possible implementation, the communication device includes: a processor, the processor is configured to support the communication device to perform the corresponding functions of the communication device or terminal device in the method shown above. The communication device may also include a memory, which may be coupled to the processor and stores the necessary program instructions and data of the communication device. Optionally, the communication device also includes an interface circuit, which is used to support communication between the communication device and a device such as a terminal device.

In a possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, which are respectively used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

In a possible implementation, the structure of the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform corresponding functions in the above method examples. For details, please refer to the description of the method provided in any one of the first to fourth aspects, which will not be repeated here.

In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor is used to implement any one of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation method of any one of the aspects through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the functional modules of the method in any one of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation method of any one of the aspects through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, the method of any one of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation of any aspect is implemented.

In a ninth aspect, a computer program product storing instructions is provided, which, when executed by a processor, implements the method of any one of the first to fourth aspects, and any possible implementation of any one of the aspects.

In a tenth aspect, a chip system is provided, the chip system includes a processor and may also include a memory, for implementing the method in any one of the first to fourth aspects, and any possible implementation of any one of the aspects. The chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

In an eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising an apparatus for implementing the method provided in the first aspect and an apparatus for implementing the method provided in the second aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising an apparatus for implementing the method provided in the third aspect and an apparatus for implementing the method provided in the fourth aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system network architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG2 is a schematic diagram of carrier switching provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG3 is a schematic diagram of carrier switching provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a multi-carrier uplink transmission provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a multi-carrier uplink transmission provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG7 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. The described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, rather than all embodiments. The terms "first", "second" and corresponding terminology numbers in the specification, claims and drawings of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way can be interchangeable under appropriate circumstances. This is merely a way of distinguishing objects with the same properties in the description of the embodiments of the present application. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, so that a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of units is not necessarily limited to those units, but may include other units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various mobile communication systems, for example, it can be a fourth generation (4G) communication system (such as long term evolution (LTE)), it can also be a fifth generation (5G) communication system (such as 5G new radio (NR)), it can also be a hybrid architecture of LTE and 5G, it can also be a new communication system that will appear in 6G or future communication development, etc. The communication system can also include a machine to machine (M2M) network, a machine type communication (MTC) or other networks.

The method and device provided in the embodiments of the present application are based on the same or similar technical concepts. Since the principles of solving problems by the method and the device are similar, the implementation of the device and the method can refer to each other, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

In the present application, network equipment may also be referred to as access network equipment, including but not limited to: evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (for example, home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP) in wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP) or transmission and reception point (TRP), etc., and may also be network equipment in 5G mobile communication system. For example, a next generation NodeB (gNB) or a transmission reception point (TRP) or TP in an NR system; or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G mobile communication system; or, the network device may also be a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point, for example, a BBU or a distributed unit (DU).

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

The terminal device is connected to the network device wirelessly or by wire, thereby accessing the mobile communication system. The network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc.; it can also be a module or unit that completes part of the functions of a base station, for example, it can be a centralized unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the network device.

In this application, the terminal device may also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, etc. The terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality terminal device, an augmented reality terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in remote surgery, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal device.

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system network architecture applicable to the present application. As shown in FIG1 , the communication system includes a network device and at least one terminal device. A radio resource control (RRC) connection is established between the terminal device and the network device, and the network device can schedule the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through a control channel or a data channel. The terminal device can be fixed or movable.

It should be understood that FIG1 is only a simplified schematic diagram for ease of understanding, and the communication system may also include other network devices or other terminal devices, which are not shown in FIG1 .

To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, several basic concepts involved in the embodiments of the present application are briefly explained.

Flexible spectrum access (FSA): In FSA technology, the network equipment can configure three or more carriers for the terminal equipment, thereby improving the uplink coverage and throughput. In FSA technology, the uplink data transmission of the terminal equipment can be dynamically switched among multiple carriers according to factors such as carrier load conditions, time slot ratio conditions, channel conditions, and business needs. Among them, the subcarrier spacing of the multiple carriers configured by the network equipment can be the same or different; the bandwidth of the multiple carriers configured by the network equipment can be the same or different. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the network equipment configures carrier A, carrier B, and carrier C for the terminal equipment. The bandwidth of carrier A is 100MHz, and the bandwidth of carrier B and carrier C is 20MHz. The terminal equipment can dynamically switch among carrier A, carrier B, and carrier C. For example, in time slot 2, the terminal equipment switches from carrier C to carrier B; in time slot 4, the terminal equipment switches from carrier C to carrier A. The above is just an example. The specific carrier switching is not limited in this application.

Carrier combination: In multi-carrier scenarios such as FSA, although multiple carriers can be configured for terminal devices, due to limitations such as the capabilities of the terminal devices, the terminal devices only support some carrier combinations. The terminal devices can indicate the carrier combinations they support to the network device, so that the network device can schedule between the carrier combinations supported by the terminal device. For example, the network device is configured with carrier A, carrier B, and carrier C. These three carriers can form four carrier combinations: combination 1 {carrier A and carrier B}, combination 2 {carrier A and carrier C}, combination 3 {carrier B and carrier C}, combination 4 {carrier A, carrier B, and carrier C}. The terminal device may only support some of the combinations, for example, only supports combination 1 and combination 3, but does not support combination 2 and combination 4, that is, the terminal device cannot simultaneously transmit data through carrier A and carrier C (i.e., combination 2), nor can it simultaneously transmit data through carrier A, carrier B, and carrier C (i.e., combination 4).

Switch delay, also known as switch time or switching interval, can be understood as the time period (or duration) during which data transmission is interrupted (or interrupted) due to reasons such as the terminal device adjusting the radio frequency (RF) link during carrier switching; or, it can also be understood as the time period (or duration) during which data transmission is interrupted (or interrupted) when the terminal device adjusts the RF link between two carriers. During the switching delay, the terminal device cannot receive signals through the carrier, nor can it send signals through the carrier.

Data channel: Data channels include but are not limited to physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). Data channels are mainly used to transmit uplink data and can also be used to transmit uplink control information. Network devices can schedule terminal devices to perform uplink transmission in data channels through downlink control information (DCI). Network devices can flexibly schedule terminal devices to perform uplink transmission in data channels according to actual conditions.

Control channel: Control channels include but are not limited to physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). Control channel is mainly used to transmit uplink control information (UCI), which may include at least one of the following: scheduling request (SR), acknowledgment (ACK)/negative acknowledgment (NACK), channel state information (CSI).

Along-path: If the time domain resources actually occupied by the control channel overlap with the time domain resources actually occupied by the data channel, the control information that needs to be transmitted through the control channel can be sent along-path to the data channel. For example, control information such as ACK/N ACK or CSI can be sent along-path to the data channel, and the resources in the original control channel are no longer used to send control information.

At present, the concept of PUCCH carrier switching has been proposed, that is, configuring PUCCH resources in two carriers, so as to allow terminal devices to switch transmission of PUCCH in two carriers, thereby improving the flexibility of PUCCH feedback. In this application, the carrier configured with PUCCH resources is called PUCCH carrier. However, if PUCCH resources are configured in multiple carriers, it will lead to a waste of resources. Therefore, from the current technological progress, PUCCH carrier switching has clearly not considered supporting switching between more carriers, that is, maintaining the current switching between a maximum of two carriers.

The scheduling process of the control channel is very complicated. Although the network device can indicate the time slot where the control channel resource is located through the parameter K1 in the DCI, the specific location of the control channel resource in the time slot needs to consider many factors and is difficult to determine in advance. For example, the network device schedules the terminal device to receive downlink data in time slot n, and the feedback information corresponding to the downlink data is transmitted in time slot n+5. At this time, the terminal device can only determine to transmit PUCCH in time slot 5, but the specific location of the actual PUCCH resource cannot be determined. Because if the network device continues to schedule the terminal device to receive downlink data after time slot n and before time slot n+5, then the feedback information corresponding to the downlink data in these time slots can also be transmitted through the PUCCH in time slot n+5, that is, the feedback information transmitted in the PUCCH is constantly changing dynamically, and it is difficult to accurately determine it until the last moment, which also makes it difficult to determine the PUCCH resources in advance.

Furthermore, the baseband and radio frequency resources of terminal devices are limited. As the number of carriers increases, when dynamically switching between multiple carriers for data transmission, the number of scenarios where additional switching time needs to be reserved between carrier combinations will increase. Due to the existence of switching time, symbol-level service scheduling cannot be achieved in FSA scenarios, so there is a possibility of conflict between the transmission of control channels and data channels. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the network The device is configured with carrier A, carrier B, and carrier C. The terminal device supports three carrier combinations: combination 1 {carrier A and carrier B}, combination 2 {carrier A and carrier C}, combination 3 {carrier B and carrier C}. Assuming the switching time is 1 time slot, and only considering the data channel transmission, theoretically the terminal device can flexibly select the carrier combination in each time slot. However, if the control channel transmission is also considered, conflicts may occur. For example, the network device schedules the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the data channels in carrier B and carrier C in the first half of time slot n+2, and then schedules the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the control channel in carrier A in the second half of time slot n+2. Since the switching time is less than 1 time slot, the terminal device cannot immediately switch to the control channel in carrier A for transmission after the data channel transmission in the first half of time slot n+2 is completed.

In summary, although the time slot where the control channel is located can be determined in advance based on the scheduling information, factors such as the carrying size, resource selection, path multiplexing, and multi-carrier conflict multiplexing in the control channel need to be considered to finally determine the symbol where the control channel is located, so as to determine whether there is a conflict between the control channel and the data channel. This greatly limits the flexibility of flexible switching of uplink carriers, resulting in coupling and mutual dependence in the determination and selection of carriers for control channels and data channels, which results in the inability to perform carrier switching in advance until the final moment. Preparation work is required, which also results in a longer switching time for terminal equipment, reducing the applicable scenarios for uplink carrier switching.

To this end, in multi-carrier scenarios such as FSA, the present application provides a method that can reduce the probability of carrier selection conflicts between control channels and data channels, thereby improving the capacity of the control channel, improving the throughput of the data channel, and ensuring that the data channel selects multiple carriers as much as possible without being affected by the control channel. It will be described in detail below.

The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. A person of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

Some scenarios in the embodiments of the present application are explained by taking the scenarios of the NR network in the wireless communication network as an example. It should be pointed out that the solutions in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other wireless communication networks, and the corresponding names can also be replaced by the names of corresponding functions in other wireless communication networks.

As shown in Figure 4, a flow chart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. When the method flow is applied to the system shown in Figure 1, the network device in Figure 1 can execute the method executed by the network device in the following process, and the terminal device in Figure 1 can execute the method executed by the terminal device in the following process. It can be understood that the embodiments shown below do not specifically limit the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided by the embodiment of the present application. As long as it is possible to communicate according to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application by running a program that records the code of the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, for example, the execution subject can be a terminal device or a functional module in the terminal device that can call and execute a program, or the execution subject can be a network device or a functional module in the network device that can call and execute a program. The following only takes the terminal device or the network device as an example for explanation.

In the process shown in Figure 4, the resources occupied by the control channel and the data channel, as well as the corresponding conflict processing range are simplified. It does not rely on the precise location of the actual time domain resources of the control channel, and completes the conflict resolution process between channels in advance, thereby determining the uplink carrier earlier.

S401: The network device determines to schedule the terminal device to perform uplink transmission via a data channel within a first time unit.

The first time unit is the time unit where the data channel is located. In one implementation, the first time unit is the time slot, sub-time slot or mini-time slot where the data channel is located. In this implementation, the first time unit can be considered as the time range where the data channel is located, and the data channel may not occupy all orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in the first time unit, but only occupy part of the OFDM symbols in the first time unit.

In another implementation, the first time unit is at least one OFDM symbol occupied by the data channel. In this implementation, the first time unit is the time domain resource actually occupied by the data channel.

In the present application, data channels include but are not limited to physical channels such as PUSCH for transmitting uplink data.

In one implementation, before S401, the terminal device determines that it needs to transmit uplink data, and thus sends an uplink scheduling request to the network device, and the uplink scheduling request is used to request the network device to schedule uplink transmission resources for the terminal device. The network device can determine the time domain resources and frequency domain resources required for scheduling the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel according to the uplink scheduling request, for example, it can determine to schedule the terminal device to perform uplink transmission within the first time unit.

Among them, the data information that the terminal device needs to transmit is certain, so when the network device schedules the terminal device to transmit data information on the data channel, it can accurately indicate the time slot where the data channel is located and the occupied symbols and other information.

The above is only an example, and the network device may also determine to schedule the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel under other circumstances, and this application does not limit this.

In one implementation, before S401, the network device may send carrier configuration information to the terminal device. The carrier configuration information is used Indicating multiple carriers configured for the terminal device, the carrier here may refer to an uplink carrier. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the carrier refers to the uplink carrier.

In one implementation, the terminal device may report capability information to the network device, where the capability information is used to indicate the carrier combinations supported by the terminal device among all carrier combinations corresponding to the multiple carriers. The network device may determine which carrier combinations the terminal device supports based on the capability information.

Among them, the number of carriers in each carrier combination supported by the terminal device is less than or equal to the number of concurrent uplink carriers supported by the terminal device. For example, if the terminal device supports concurrent transmission in up to 2 carriers, then each carrier combination includes up to 2 carriers.

S402: If the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, the network device selects a first carrier combination from the carrier combinations supported by the terminal device.

The first carrier combination is a carrier combination including a control channel carrier, and the first carrier combination includes at least one carrier.

In this application, control channels include but are not limited to physical channels such as PUCCH used to transmit UCI. Control channel carrier refers to a carrier configured with control channel resources. Among them, although the network device configures multiple carriers for the terminal device, only some of the carriers are configured with control channel resources, and carriers without control channel resources cannot be used to transmit control channels.

In the present application, the second time unit is the time unit where the control channel is located. For example, the second time unit is the time slot or sub-time slot or mini-time slot where the control channel is located. In the present application, the second time unit is the time range where the control channel is located, not the time domain resources actually occupied by the control channel, that is, the control channel does not occupy all the time domains within the second time unit, and the time domain resources occupied by the control channel are part of the second time unit.

In one implementation, the network device sends an RRC message to the terminal device, and the RRC message is used to indicate at least one second time unit. In this implementation, the second time unit is pre-configured by the network device, that is, the network device pre-configures at least one second time unit, and if the network device schedules the terminal device to perform uplink transmission in the control channel, one of the at least one second time unit will be used as the time unit where the control channel is located.

In this implementation, although the RRC message can indicate the second time unit where the control channel is located, the control channel does not occupy the entire range of the second time unit, but only occupies a part of the second time unit, that is, only occupies part of the OFDM symbols of the second time unit. Because at the time of sending the RRC message, the network device cannot determine in advance the number of symbols occupied by the control channel, it can only indicate the time range where the control channel may exist, that is, indicate a time unit, and the actual position of the control channel in the second time unit needs to be determined according to the final scheduling situation.

In this implementation, the length of the second time unit can be 1 time slot, a sub-time slot, or a mini-time slot; or the length of the second time unit can also be determined according to the switching delay of the terminal device. For example, if the switching delay of the terminal device is 7 OFDM symbols, then the length of the second time unit is greater than or equal to 7 OFDM symbols.

In one implementation, the network device sends a DCI to the terminal device, and the DCI can be used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission via a control channel in a control channel carrier within a second time unit. In this implementation, the second time unit is dynamically indicated by the DCI.

For example, in this implementation, the DCI may include K1; K1 is used to indicate the time slot offset value between the time slot where the control channel is located and the time slot where the DCI is located, and the second time unit may be a time slot determined according to K1. In the description of this paragraph, "time slot" may also be replaced by "sub-time slot or mini-time slot".

In this implementation, although the DCI can indicate the second time unit where the control channel is located, the control channel does not occupy the entire range of the second time unit, that is, it only occupies part of the OFDM symbols of the second time unit. Since the control information that the network device schedules the terminal device to transmit in the control channel may change continuously, the control information that ultimately needs to be transmitted in the control channel may not be determined at the time of sending the DCI. Therefore, the DCI does not indicate which part of the second time unit the control channel occupies.

Combined with the previous description, in the present application, if the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, then it can be determined that the time domain resources of the control channel and the time domain resources of the data channel may conflict. At this time, if the control channel and the data channel are not in the same carrier, or the carrier combination composed of the carrier where the control channel is located and the carrier where the data channel is located is not a carrier combination supported by the terminal device, then during the uplink transmission of the control channel and the data channel respectively, the terminal device needs to perform carrier switching. Due to the existence of the switching time, when the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, the terminal device cannot complete the carrier switching in time, resulting in the inability to transmit part or all of the information in the control channel or the data channel.

To this end, in the present application, if the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, the network device may select a carrier combination including a control channel carrier from the carrier combinations supported by the terminal device, that is, select the first carrier combination.

In one implementation, the first carrier combination includes only one carrier, that is, only the control channel carrier, and the network device can instruct the terminal The device transmits data information in the data channel of the control channel carrier in the first time unit, and can also instruct the terminal device to transmit control information in the control channel of the control channel carrier in the second time unit, so that the terminal device does not need to switch carriers. The control information can be information such as UCI.

In another implementation, the first carrier combination includes two or more carriers, that is, the first carrier combination includes other carriers in addition to the control channel carrier. For the convenience of description, the first carrier combination including two carriers is described as an example, and the control channel carrier in the first carrier combination is called the first carrier. The first carrier combination also includes a second carrier, and the terminal device can support simultaneous transmission of the two carriers. At this time, the network device can instruct the terminal device to transmit data information in the data channel of the second carrier in the first time unit, and can also instruct the terminal device to transmit control information in the control channel of the first carrier in the second time unit. One radio frequency channel of the terminal device corresponds to the first carrier, and the other radio frequency channel corresponds to the second carrier. In this way, it can be ensured that when the terminal device is transmitting data information on the data channel, if it is also necessary to transmit control information on the control channel, there is no need to switch the carrier, and it can be directly transmitted in the control channel carrier (i.e., the second carrier) according to the scheduling of the network device. In this way, it can be avoided that when the control channel carrier is not included in the first carrier combination, the terminal device needs to switch to the control channel carrier during the data channel transmission of data information, thereby simplifying the behavior of the terminal device.

S403: The network device sends first indication information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from the network device.

The first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through a data channel in at least one carrier in the first carrier combination within a first time unit. For example, the first indication information may be DCI.

In one implementation, the first indication information includes K2, S and L; K2 is used to indicate the time slot offset value between the time slot where the data channel is located and the time slot where the first indication information is located, S is used to indicate the starting OFDM symbol occupied by the data channel, and L is used to indicate the number of OFDM symbols occupied by the data channel.

In this implementation, if the first time unit is the time slot, sub-time slot or mini-time slot where the data channel is located, then the specific position of the first time unit can be determined according to K2; if the first time unit is at least one OFDM symbol occupied by the data channel, then the specific position of at least one OFDM symbol occupied by the data channel can be determined according to K2, S and L, that is, the at least one OFDM symbol determined according to K2, S and L is the first time unit.

In the present application, when the terminal device receives the first indication information, if the terminal device is not operating in the control channel carrier, it can switch to the control channel carrier in the first carrier combination according to the first indication information.

S404: The terminal device transmits data information through a data channel in at least one carrier in the first carrier combination within a first time unit according to the first indication information.

Accordingly, the network device can receive data information from the terminal device through a data channel in at least one carrier in the first carrier combination within the first time unit. The specific content of the data information is not limited and will not be described in detail here.

In one implementation, the network device may further send third indication information to the terminal device, and the third indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the control channel in the control channel carrier in the first carrier combination in the second time unit. Accordingly, the terminal device performs uplink transmission through the control channel in the control channel carrier in the second time unit, and the terminal device may transmit control information through the control channel, and the specific content of the transmission is not limited.

Through the method provided by the present application, the concept of a second time unit is proposed. The second time unit is the time range where the control channel is located, not the time domain resources actually occupied by the control channel that need to be finally determined through complex calculations. Further, when judging whether there is a conflict between the control channel and the data channel, it is not based on the time domain resources actually occupied by the control channel, that is, not based on the starting OFDM symbol and the ending OFDM symbol specifically occupied by the control channel, but based on the time range where the control channel is located, that is, judging whether the second time unit where the control channel is located overlaps with the first time unit where the data channel is located. In this way, it can be judged in advance whether there is a conflict between the control channel and the data channel, and if it is determined that the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, that is, it is determined that the control channel and the data channel conflict, the network device can quickly select a carrier for the terminal device, and the network device can select a first carrier combination including a control channel carrier, so that the terminal device can transmit data information through the data channel in the carrier included in the first carrier combination, and can also transmit control information through the control channel in the control channel carrier included in the first carrier combination, thereby achieving the early completion of the conflict resolution process between channels and simplifying the behavior of the network device and the terminal device.

In another implementation, if the first time unit and the second time unit do not overlap, S402 to S404 may be replaced by the following process:

S405: If the first time unit and the second time unit do not overlap, the network device selects a second carrier combination from the carrier combinations supported by the terminal device.

The second carrier combination is any carrier combination among the carrier combinations supported by the terminal device.

S406: The network device sends second indication information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second indication information from the network device.

The second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through a data channel in at least one carrier in the second carrier combination within the first time unit.

S407: The terminal device transmits data information through a data channel in at least one carrier in the second carrier combination within the first time unit according to the second indication information.

Accordingly, the network device may receive data information from the terminal device through a data channel in at least one carrier in the second carrier combination within the first time unit.

In the present application, S402 to S404 and S405 to S407 are two parallel processes, and the execution order is not limited.

The above process is described below through a specific embodiment.

For example, assume that the network device is configured with three carriers, namely carrier A, carrier B, and carrier C, where carrier A is a control channel carrier. The terminal device supports concurrent transmission in at most one carrier, and the carrier combinations supported by the terminal device may be as shown in Table 1.

Table 1

In Table 1, in each column, the carrier corresponding to "1" is located in the carrier combination corresponding to the column. For example, carrier combination 1 includes carrier A, and carrier combination 2 includes carrier B.

As shown in Figure 5, it is assumed that time slot 5 and time slot 9 are the second time unit, that is, the time slot where the control channel is located. Time slot 5 and time slot 9 can be configured by the network device through an RRC message, or can be dynamically indicated through a DCI.

Assume that in the first 7 OFDM symbols (i.e., the first time unit) in time slot 1, the network device determines that it needs to schedule the terminal device to perform uplink transmission in the data channel. Since the first 7 OFDM symbols in time slot 1 do not overlap with time slot 5, the network device can flexibly select the carrier, and the network device can select any carrier combination from carrier combination 1 to carrier combination 3. Assuming that the network device selects carrier combination 2, then within the first 7 OFDM symbols in time slot 1, the network device can instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel in carrier B.

Similarly, in time slots 2 to 4, time slots 6 to 8, and time slot 10, when the network device determines that it needs to schedule the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the data channel, it can select any carrier combination from carrier combination 1 to carrier combination 3.

Assume that in time slot 3, the terminal device performs uplink transmission in carrier B. In the last 7 OFDM symbols (i.e., the first time unit) in time slot 5, the network device determines that the terminal device needs to be scheduled to perform uplink transmission in the data channel. Since the last 7 OFDM symbols in time slot 5 overlap with time slot 5, the channel where the data channel is located must follow the control channel carrier, and the network device must select a carrier combination including the control channel carrier (i.e., carrier A) from carrier combination 1 to carrier combination 3. At this time, the network device selects carrier combination 1, then within the last 7 OFDM symbols in time slot 5, the network device can instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel in carrier A. At this time, after the terminal device completes data transmission in time slot 3, it can switch to carrier A. If the network device also instructs the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the control channel in carrier A in time slot 5, the control information in the control channel and the data information in the data channel can be sent in time, or the control information can be sent along the data channel. The specific details can be determined according to the actual situation, and the present application does not limit this. In this case, since it can be determined in advance that control information needs to be transmitted on the control channel in time slot 5, the terminal device can determine in advance that it needs to switch to carrier A, so that it can prepare for switching in advance, improving the efficiency of carrier switching. If in time slot 6, the network device schedules the terminal device to perform uplink transmission in carrier C, then the terminal device will also switch from carrier A to carrier C in time slot 6.

Similarly, in time slot 9, when the network device determines that the terminal device needs to be scheduled to perform uplink transmission on the data channel, carrier combination 1 must be selected, and the specific process will not be repeated here.

Combined with the previous description, assuming that the subcarrier spacing of carrier A and carrier B is 30kHz, and the subcarrier spacing of carrier C is 15kHz, then the length of one time slot corresponding to carrier C is equal to the length of two time slots corresponding to carrier A, as shown in Figure 6. In Figure 6, carrier A and carrier B correspond to time slots 1 to 10, and time slots 5 and 9 are the second time units, i.e., the time slots where the control channel is located. Carrier C corresponds to time slots a, b, c, d, and e. The starting point of time slot a is the same as the starting point of time slot 1, and the ending point of time slot a is the same as the ending point of time slot 2. The same applies to other situations, which will not be described in detail.

6, in the first half of time slot c, that is, in time slot 5, if the network device determines that it needs to schedule the terminal device to enter the data channel In the second half of time slot c, i.e., time slot 6, if the network device determines that it needs to schedule the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the data channel, the network device can select any carrier combination from carrier combination 1 to carrier combination 3. For example, in time slot b, the network device schedules the terminal device to transmit data information on the data channel in carrier C; in the first half of time slot c, the terminal device switches to carrier A, and the network device can schedule the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the data signal and/or control channel in carrier A; in the second half of time slot c, if the network device schedules the terminal device to transmit data information on the data channel in carrier C, the terminal device needs to switch to carrier C again. The above are just examples, and other situations will not be described one by one.

For another example, assume that the network device is configured with three carriers, namely carrier A, carrier B, carrier C, and carrier D, where carrier A is a control channel carrier. The terminal device supports concurrent transmission in at most two carriers, and the carrier combinations supported by the terminal device may be as shown in Table 2.

Table 2

In Table 2, in each column, the carrier corresponding to "1" is located in the carrier combination corresponding to the column. For example, carrier combination 1 includes carrier A and carrier B, and carrier combination 2 includes carrier A and carrier C.

Assume that time slot a and time slot b are the second time unit, that is, the time slot where the control channel is located. Time slot a and time slot b may be configured by the network device through an RRC message, or may be dynamically indicated through a DCI.

Assume that in the first 7 OFDM symbols (i.e., the first time unit) in time slot c, the network device determines that it needs to schedule the terminal device to perform uplink transmission in the data channel. Since the first 7 OFDM symbols in time slot c do not overlap with time slot a or time slot b, the network device can select any carrier combination from carrier combination 1 to carrier combination 5. Assuming that the network device selects carrier combination 2, then within the first 7 OFDM symbols in time slot c, the network device can instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel in at least one of carrier A and carrier C.

Assume that in the last 7 OFDM symbols (i.e., the first time unit) in time slot a, the network device determines that it is necessary to schedule the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the data channel. Since the last 7 OFDM symbols in time slot a overlap with time slot a, the network device must select one of carrier combinations 1 to 3. Assuming that the network device selects carrier combination 1, then in the last 7 OFDM symbols in time slot a, the network device can instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel in at least one of carrier A and carrier B. If the network device also instructs the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the control channel in time slot a, the control channel is located in carrier A.

Similarly, in time slot b, when the network device determines that it needs to schedule the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the data channel, it must select a carrier combination from carrier combination 1 to carrier combination 3. The specific process will not be repeated here.

The present application also provides a method for simplifying the conditions for linking and effectively improving the uplink data channel capacity in scenarios such as FSA, which will be described in detail below.

As shown in Figure 7, a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. When the method flow is applied to the system shown in Figure 1, the network device in Figure 1 can execute the method executed by the network device in the following flow, and the terminal device in Figure 1 can execute the method executed by the terminal device in the following flow.

S701: The network device sends first information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

The first information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first data information through a data channel within a first time unit.

In one implementation, the first information is a first DCI. The data channel includes but is not limited to a physical channel such as a PUSCH for transmitting uplink data.

The first time unit is the time unit where the data channel is located. In one implementation, the first time unit is the time slot, sub-time slot or mini-time slot where the data channel is located. In this implementation, the first time unit can be considered as the time range where the data channel is located, and the data channel may not occupy all OFDM symbols in the first time unit, but only occupy part of the OFDM symbols in the first time unit.

In combination with the above description, for example, the first information is the first DCI, and the first information includes K2, S and L; K2 is used to indicate the data channel. The time slot offset value between the time slot where the first information is located and the time slot where the first information is located, S is used to indicate the starting OFDM symbol occupied by the data channel, and L is used to indicate the number of OFDM symbols occupied by the data channel.

S702: The network device sends second information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second information from the network device.

The second information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit the first control information via a control channel within the second time unit. The control channel includes but is not limited to a physical channel such as PUCCH used to transmit UCI.

In the present application, the second time unit is the time unit where the control channel is located. For example, the second time unit is the time slot or sub-time slot or mini-time slot where the control channel is located. The second time unit is the time range where the control channel is located, not the time domain resources actually occupied by the control channel, that is, the control channel does not occupy all the time domains within the second time unit, and the time domain resources occupied by the control channel are part of the second time unit.

For example, the second information may be a second DCI, and the second information includes K1, and K1 is used to determine the second time unit. For example, K1 is used to indicate the time slot offset value between the time slot where the control channel is located and the time slot where the second information is located. At this time, although K1 can determine the time slot where the control channel is located, the second information may not indicate which OFDM symbols the control channel occupies in the time slot.

The present application does not limit the order in which S701 and S702 are executed. The above is just an example, and S702 may be executed before S701.

S703: If the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, the terminal device sends first control information and first data information to the network device through the data channel; correspondingly, the network device receives the first control information and first data information from the terminal device on the data channel.

In the present application, the first control information may be information such as UCI, and the specific content is not limited. The first data information may be data that the terminal device needs to transmit, and the specific content is not limited.

When the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, the terminal device can send the first control information along with the data channel. The terminal device no longer sends the first control information through the control channel, thereby achieving the effect of transmitting the control information in the control channel without configuring the control channel resource configuration in other carriers, so that the control information can be transmitted along with the data channel as much as possible.

Through the method provided in the present application, when judging whether the control channel and the data channel are on-link, it does not rely on the precise location of the time domain resources actually occupied by the control channel, but is based on the time range (i.e., the second time unit) in which the control channel is located. Since the second time unit can be determined in advance compared to the time domain resources actually occupied by the control channel, the conditions for on-link can be simplified, the probability and proportion of the control channel on-link can be effectively increased, and the uplink data channel capacity in scenarios such as FSA can be effectively improved.

In another implementation, if the first time unit does not overlap with the second time unit, the terminal device sends the first data information to the network device via the data channel; the terminal device sends the first control information to the network device via the control channel. Accordingly, the network device receives the first data information from the terminal device on the data channel and receives the first control information from the terminal device on the control channel.

For example, it is assumed that the network device is configured with two carriers, namely carrier A and carrier B, where carrier A is a control channel carrier.

As shown in Figure 5, the network device sends a first DCI, which indicates that the terminal device transmits first data information through a data channel on carrier B within a first time unit; the network device sends a second DCI, which indicates that the terminal device transmits first control information through a control channel on carrier A within a second time unit.

Assume that the first time unit is the last 7 OFDM symbols in time slot 5, and the second time unit is time slot 5. Since the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, the terminal device can send the first control information along the data channel. Specifically, the terminal device sends the first data information and the first control information in the data channel in carrier B within the last 7 OFDM symbols in time slot 5. The terminal device does not send the first control information in the control channel of carrier A. Through this method, the probability of along-path is expanded, avoiding the terminal device from switching from carrier A to carrier B within the first time unit, thereby avoiding the situation where data information cannot be sent due to failure to meet the switching time, thereby improving data transmission efficiency.

Assume that the first time unit is time slot 7 and the second time unit is time slot 5. Since the first time unit does not overlap with the second time unit, the terminal device sends the first control information on the control channel in carrier A in time slot 5; and the terminal device sends the first data information on the data channel in carrier B in time slot 7.

The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of communication device interaction. It can be understood that in order to realize the above functions, the network equipment and the terminal equipment may include hardware structures and/or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this document, the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods for each specific application. The method can realize the described functions, but such realization should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

The embodiment of the present application can divide the network device and the terminal device into functional units according to the above method example. For example, each functional unit can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional unit.

Similar to the above concept, as shown in FIG8 , the embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device 800 for implementing the functions of the network device or terminal device in the above method. For example, the communication device may be a software module or a chip system. In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices. The communication device 800 may include: a processing unit 801 and a communication unit 802.

In the embodiment of the present application, the communication unit may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, and may include a sending unit and/or a receiving unit, which are respectively used to execute the sending and receiving steps performed by the network device or the terminal device in the above method embodiment.

The communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with Figures 8 and 9. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment, so the contents not described in detail can be referred to the method embodiment above, and for the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

The communication unit may also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver, a transceiver device, etc. The processing unit may also be referred to as a processor, a processing board, a processing module, a processing device, etc. Optionally, the device used to implement the receiving function in the communication unit 802 may be regarded as a receiving unit, and the device used to implement the sending function in the communication unit 802 may be regarded as a sending unit, that is, the communication unit 802 includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. The communication unit may also be sometimes referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc. The receiving unit may also be sometimes referred to as a receiver, a receiver, or a receiving circuit, etc. The sending unit may also be sometimes referred to as a transmitter, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

In one implementation, the communication device is used to implement the following functions:

A processing unit, configured to determine to schedule a terminal device to perform uplink transmission through a data channel within a first time unit; if the first time unit overlaps with a second time unit, select a first carrier combination from carrier combinations supported by the terminal device; the first carrier combination is a carrier combination including a control channel carrier; wherein the second time unit is a time unit where the control channel is located;

A communication unit is used to send first indication information to the terminal device, wherein the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel in at least one carrier within the first time unit, and the at least one carrier is located in the first carrier combination.

a communication unit, configured to receive first indication information from a network device; the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through a data channel in at least one carrier within a first time unit, the at least one carrier being located in a first carrier combination, the first carrier combination being a carrier combination including a control channel carrier in a carrier combination supported by the terminal device;

A processing unit, configured to transmit data information through the data channel in the at least one carrier within the first time unit through the communication unit according to the first indication information; the first time unit and the second time unit overlap, and the second time unit is the time unit where the control channel is located.

A communication unit, configured to receive first information from a network device; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first data information via a data channel within a first time unit; receive second information from the network device; the second information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first control information via a control channel within a second time unit; the second information includes K1, and K1 is used to determine the second time unit;

The communication unit is configured to send the first control information and the first data information to the network device through the data channel if the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit.

A communication unit, configured to send first information to a terminal device; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first data information via a data channel within a first time unit; send second information to the terminal device; the second information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first control information via a control channel within a second time unit; the second information includes K1, and K1 is used to determine the second time unit;

The communication unit is configured to receive the first control information and the first data information from the terminal device on the data channel if the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit.

The above are only examples, and the processing unit 801 and the communication unit 802 may also perform other functions. For a more detailed description, please refer to the relevant description in the method embodiment shown above, which will not be repeated here.

FIG9 shows a communication device 900 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device shown in FIG9 may be the communication device shown in FIG8 A hardware circuit implementation method. The communication device can be applied to the flowchart shown above to perform the functions of the network device and the terminal device in the above method embodiment. For ease of explanation, Figure 9 only shows the main components of the communication device.

As shown in FIG9 , the communication device 900 includes a processor 910 and an interface circuit 920. The processor 910 and the interface circuit 920 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 920 may be a transceiver or an input/output interface. Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a memory 930 for storing instructions executed by the processor 910 or storing input data required by the processor 910 to execute instructions or storing data generated after the processor 910 executes instructions.

When the communication device 900 is used to implement the method shown above, the processor 910 is used to implement the function of the processing unit 801, and the interface circuit 920 is used to implement the function of the communication unit 802.

It is understandable that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

In the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium may be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located in a network device or a terminal device. The processor and the storage medium may also exist as discrete components in a network device or a terminal device.

An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication method, including a method performed by the network device in Figure 4 or Figure 7.

An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication method, including a method performed by the terminal device in Figure 4 or Figure 7.

An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, wherein the computer program includes computer instructions for implementing the method executed by the network device in the above method embodiment, and/or the computer program includes computer instructions for implementing the method executed by the terminal device in the above method embodiment.

An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product including a computer program code, which, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to implement the method executed by a terminal device in the above method embodiment, and/or which, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to implement the method executed by a network device in the above method embodiment.

An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip device, including a processor, for calling a computer program or computer instruction stored in the memory so that the processor executes the method shown in FIG. 4 and/or FIG. 7 above.

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

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

An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including a communication device for implementing the terminal device function in the embodiment of Figure 4 and a communication device for implementing the network device function in the embodiment of Figure 4.

An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including a communication device for implementing the terminal device function in the embodiment of Figure 7 and a communication device for implementing the network device function in the embodiment of Figure 7.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application may adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application may adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

The present application is described with reference to the flowchart and/or block diagram of the method, device (system), and computer program product according to the present application. It should be understood that each process and/or box in the flowchart and/or block diagram, as well as the combination of the process and/or box in the flowchart and/or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one process or multiple processes in the flowchart and/or one box or multiple boxes in the block diagram.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements A flowchart now specifies a process or multiple processes and/or a block diagram specifies functions within a block or multiple blocks.

Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

A communication method, comprising:

Determine to schedule the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel within the first time unit;

If the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, selecting a first carrier combination from the carrier combinations supported by the terminal device; the first carrier combination is a carrier combination including a control channel carrier; wherein the second time unit is a time unit where the control channel is located;

Sending first indication information to the terminal device, wherein the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel in at least one carrier within the first time unit, and the at least one carrier is located in the first carrier combination.
The method according to claim 1 is characterized in that the second time unit is the time slot, sub-time slot or mini-time slot where the control channel is located.
The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first time unit is a time slot, a sub-time slot or a mini-time slot where the data channel is located;

Alternatively, the first time unit is at least one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol occupied by the data channel.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the method further comprises:

Send a radio resource control RRC message to the terminal device; the RRC message is used to indicate the second time unit.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the method further comprises:

The network device sends downlink control information DCI to the terminal device, where the DCI is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the control channel in the control channel carrier within the second time unit.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the method further comprises:

If the first time unit and the second time unit do not overlap, selecting a second carrier combination from the carrier combinations supported by the terminal device; the second carrier combination is any carrier combination among the carrier combinations supported by the terminal device;

Send second indication information to the terminal device, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel in at least one carrier in the second carrier combination within the first time unit.
A communication method, comprising:

Receive first indication information from a network device; the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through a data channel in at least one carrier within a first time unit, the at least one carrier is located in a first carrier combination, and the first carrier combination is a carrier combination including a control channel carrier in a carrier combination supported by the terminal device;

According to the first indication information, data information is transmitted in the at least one carrier through the data channel within the first time unit; the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, and the second time unit is the time unit where the control channel is located.
The method according to claim 7 is characterized in that the second time unit is a time slot, a sub-time slot or a mini-time slot where the resources of the control channel are located.
The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first time unit is a time slot or a sub-time slot or a mini-time slot where the resource of the data channel is located;

Alternatively, the first time unit is at least one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol occupied by the data channel.
The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the method further comprises:

Switch to the control channel carrier according to the first indication information.
The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the method further comprises:

A radio resource control (RRC) message is received from the network device; the RRC message is used to indicate the second time unit.
The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the method further comprises:

Receive downlink control information DCI from the network device, where the DCI is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the control channel in the control channel carrier within the second time unit.
The method according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the method further comprises:

Receive second indication information from the network device, if the first time unit and the second time unit do not overlap, the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel in at least one carrier in the second carrier combination; the second carrier combination is any carrier combination supported by the terminal device.
A communication method, comprising:

Receiving first information from a network device; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first data information through a data channel within a first time unit;

receiving second information from the network device; the second information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first control information through a control channel within a second time unit; the second information includes K1, and K1 is used to determine the second time unit;

If the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, the first control information and the first data information are sent to the network device through the data channel.
The method according to claim 14 is characterized in that the second time unit is the time slot, sub-time slot or mini-time slot where the control channel is located.
The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the first time unit is a time slot or a sub-time slot or a mini-time slot where the data channel is located;

Alternatively, the first time unit is at least one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol occupied by the data channel.
The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that if the first time unit does not overlap with the second time unit, sending the first data information to the network device through the data channel;

The first control information is sent to the network device through the control channel.
A communication method, comprising:

Sending first information to a terminal device; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first data information through a data channel within a first time unit;

Sending second information to the terminal device; the second information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first control information through a control channel within a second time unit; the second information includes K1, and K1 is used to determine the second time unit;

If the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit, the first control information and the first data information are received from the terminal device on the data channel.
The method according to claim 18 is characterized in that the second time unit is the time slot, sub-time slot or mini-time slot where the control channel is located.
The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the first time unit is a time slot or a sub-time slot or a mini-time slot where the data channel is located;

Alternatively, the first time unit is at least one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol occupied by the data channel.
The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that if the first time unit does not overlap with the second time unit, receiving the first data information from the terminal device on the data channel;

The first control information is received from the terminal device on the control channel.
A communication device, comprising:

A processing unit, configured to determine to schedule a terminal device to perform uplink transmission through a data channel within a first time unit; if the first time unit overlaps with a second time unit, select a first carrier combination from carrier combinations supported by the terminal device; the first carrier combination is a carrier combination including a control channel carrier; wherein the second time unit is a time unit where the control channel is located;

A communication unit is used to send first indication information to the terminal device, wherein the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel in at least one carrier within the first time unit, and the at least one carrier is located in the first carrier combination.
The device according to claim 22 is characterized in that the second time unit is the time slot, sub-time slot or mini-time slot where the control channel is located.
The device according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the first time unit is a time slot or a sub-time slot or a mini-time slot where the data channel is located;

Alternatively, the first time unit is at least one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol occupied by the data channel.
The device according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that the communication unit is further used for:

Send a radio resource control RRC message to the terminal device; the RRC message is used to indicate the second time unit.
The device according to any one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that the communication unit is further used for:

Downlink control information DCI is sent to the terminal device, where the DCI is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the control channel in the control channel carrier within the second time unit.
The device according to any one of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that the processing unit is further used for:

If the first time unit and the second time unit do not overlap, selecting a second carrier combination from the carrier combinations supported by the terminal device The second carrier combination is any carrier combination among the carrier combinations supported by the terminal device;

The communication unit is further used to send second indication information to the terminal device, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel in at least one carrier in the second carrier combination within the first time unit.
A communication device, comprising:

a communication unit, configured to receive first indication information from a network device; the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through a data channel in at least one carrier within a first time unit, the at least one carrier being located in a first carrier combination, the first carrier combination being a carrier combination including a control channel carrier in a carrier combination supported by the terminal device;

A processing unit, configured to transmit data information through the data channel in the at least one carrier within the first time unit through the communication unit according to the first indication information; the first time unit and the second time unit overlap, and the second time unit is the time unit where the control channel is located.
The device according to claim 28 is characterized in that the second time unit is a time slot, a sub-time slot or a mini-time slot where the resources of the control channel are located.
The device according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that the first time unit is a time slot or a sub-time slot or a mini-time slot where the resource of the data channel is located;

Alternatively, the first time unit is at least one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol occupied by the data channel.
The device according to any one of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that the processing unit is further used for:

Switch to the control channel carrier according to the first indication information.
The device according to any one of claims 28 to 31, characterized in that the communication unit is further used for:

A radio resource control (RRC) message is received from the network device; the RRC message is used to indicate the second time unit.
The device according to any one of claims 28 to 32, characterized in that the communication unit is further used for:

Receive downlink control information DCI from the network device, where the DCI is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the control channel in the control channel carrier within the second time unit.
The device according to any one of claims 28 to 33, characterized in that the communication unit is further used for:

Receive second indication information from the network device, if the first time unit and the second time unit do not overlap, the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the data channel in at least one carrier in a second carrier combination; the second carrier combination is any carrier combination supported by the terminal device.
A communication device, comprising:

A communication unit, configured to receive first information from a network device; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first data information via a data channel within a first time unit; receive second information from the network device; the second information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first control information via a control channel within a second time unit; the second information includes K1, and K1 is used to determine the second time unit;

The communication unit is configured to send the first control information and the first data information to the network device through the data channel if the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit.
The device according to claim 35 is characterized in that the second time unit is the time slot, sub-time slot or mini-time slot where the control channel is located.
The device according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that the first time unit is a time slot or a sub-time slot or a mini-time slot where the data channel is located;

Alternatively, the first time unit is at least one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol occupied by the data channel.
The device according to any one of claims 35 to 37, characterized in that the communication unit is also used for:

If the first time unit does not overlap with the second time unit, sending the first data information to the network device through the data channel;

The first control information is sent to the network device through the control channel.
A communication device, comprising:

A communication unit, configured to send first information to a terminal device; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first data information via a data channel within a first time unit; send second information to the terminal device; the second information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit first control information via a control channel within a second time unit; the second information includes K1, and K1 is used to determine the second time unit;

The communication unit is used for receiving the data from the terminal on the data channel if the first time unit overlaps with the second time unit. The first control information and the first data information of the terminal device.
The device according to claim 39 is characterized in that the second time unit is the time slot, sub-time slot or mini-time slot where the control channel is located.
The device according to claim 39 or 40, characterized in that the first time unit is a time slot or a sub-time slot or a mini-time slot where the data channel is located;

Alternatively, the first time unit is at least one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol occupied by the data channel.
The device according to any one of claims 39 to 41, characterized in that the communication unit is further used for:

If the first time unit does not overlap with the second time unit, receiving the first data information from the terminal device on the data channel;

The first control information is received from the terminal device on the control channel.
A communication device, comprising a processor and a memory;

The processor is used to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device implements the method described in any one of claims 1 to 21.
A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that a computer program or instruction is stored therein, and when the computer program or instruction is executed on a computer, the computer implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.
A chip, characterized in that it includes a processor, wherein the processor is coupled to a memory and is used to execute a computer program or instruction stored in the memory, so that the chip implements the method described in any one of claims 1 to 21.
A computer program product, characterized in that it stores computer-readable instructions, and when a communication device reads and executes the computer-readable instructions, the communication device executes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 21.