WO2026001629A1 - Communication method, communication apparatus, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication method, a communication apparatus, and a storage medium, relating to the technical field of communications and capable of reducing the occupation of time domain resources for uplink signals in multi-user scenarios. The method comprises: sending first information corresponding to each terminal among at least one terminal, and receiving a second signal from each terminal, wherein the first information is used for indicating information required for performing preprocessing on a first signal; first time domain resources of first signals from different terminals among the at least one terminal include identical time domain resources, and a second time domain resource of a modulation symbol in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to each terminal among the at least one terminal has a different position; the first time domain resources include at least one second time domain resource; and the second signal from a first terminal is determined by performing preprocessing on the first signal of the first terminal on the basis of the first information corresponding to the first terminal, and the first terminal is any terminal among the at least one terminal.

Description

Communication methods, communication devices and storage media

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410874451.1, filed on June 27, 2024, entitled "Communication Method, Communication Device and Storage Medium", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

This application relates to the field of communication technology, specifically to a communication method, communication device, and storage medium.

Background Technology

Currently, uplink signals can be divided into short-format and long-format uplink signals. Since the coverage distance of long-format uplink signals is longer than that of short-format uplink signals, they are typically used in coverage scenarios. However, long-format uplink signals consume more time-domain resources. In multi-user transmission scenarios, different terminals need to occupy different time-domain resources to transmit uplink signals, resulting in a large amount of time-domain resources being occupied and thus higher time-domain resource overhead for uplink signal transmission.

Summary of the Invention

To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, communication device, and storage medium that can reduce the time-domain resource consumption of uplink signals in multi-user scenarios.

Firstly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a network device, or by a component of the network device, such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system of the network device, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device. The following description uses the execution of this method by a network device as an example. The communication method includes: sending first information corresponding to each of at least one terminal, and receiving a second signal from each terminal, wherein the first information is used to indicate information required for preprocessing the first signal; and the first time-domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal include the same time-domain resources, and the positions of the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signals corresponding to each terminal in at least one terminal are different, and the first time-domain resources include at least one second time-domain resource; the second signal from the first terminal is determined based on the first information corresponding to the first terminal through preprocessing of the first signal from the first terminal, where the first terminal is any one of the at least one terminals.

For example, preprocessing can be upsampling. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of preprocessing, and the preprocessing can also be other processes, which are not limited in this application embodiment.

For example, the first time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the first time-domain resource, and the first time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

For example, the second time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol sampling point. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the second time-domain resource, and the second time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

In this embodiment, the network device can send first information corresponding to each of at least one terminal to inform each terminal of the information required for preprocessing the first signal, and receive a second signal from each terminal, wherein the second signal is determined based on the first information after preprocessing the first signal. Since the first time domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal include the same time domain resources, and the positions of the second time domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signals corresponding to each terminal in at least one terminal are different, the second signals from different terminals in at least one terminal can be transmitted on the same time domain resources, but the positions of the second time domain resources of the modulation symbols in the second signals of different terminals do not conflict. In this way, the network device can normally parse the modulation symbols of each terminal, and thus can normally obtain the data from the transmitting end, without having the second signals of different terminals occupy different first time domain resources, thereby achieving the effect of reducing time domain resource occupation.

In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first information includes at least one of the following: upsampling position, upsampling factor, or number of sampling points; the upsampling position is the position of the padding symbol inserted in the first signal.

In other words, the network device can specify at least one of the following through the first information: upsampling position, upsampling factor, or number of sampling points. In this way, the terminal can clearly know the information required to preprocess the first signal, and thus the terminal can better preprocess the first signal based on the first information to determine the second signal.

In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the upsampling position corresponding to the preprocessing includes the number of inter-space padding symbols and/or a bitmap; wherein, the number of inter-space padding symbols is the number of padding symbols between every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal, and the number of inter-space padding symbols is determined based on the upsampling factor and/or the number of at least one terminal.

In other words, network devices can specify the upsampling position corresponding to preprocessing by using the number of symbols and/or bitmaps to fill the gaps. This allows the terminal to clearly know the upsampling position corresponding to preprocessing, so that the terminal can better preprocess the first signal based on the upsampling position corresponding to preprocessing to determine the second signal.

In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is determined based on at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal; wherein, the number of first frequency domain resources is the largest number of frequency domain resources among the number of frequency domain resources of the first signal from at least one terminal; or, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is related to the first number, wherein the first number is the number of the same time domain resources, or the first number is the number of the same frequency domain resources included in the frequency domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal.

In other words, this application provides two methods for determining the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing. One method is to determine the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing based on the correspondence between the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing and a first quantity. This method can quickly and easily determine the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing, so that the terminal can quickly preprocess the first signal based on the upsampling position corresponding to preprocessing to determine the second signal. The other method is to determine the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing based on at least one of the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal. That is, the terminal can more accurately determine the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing based on at least one of the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal. This can improve the accuracy of the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing, thereby enabling more accurate preprocessing of the first signal based on the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing to determine a more accurate second signal.

In conjunction with the first aspect described above, in one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment further includes: sending second information corresponding to each terminal, the second information being used to indicate the information required to determine the first signal.

In other words, network devices can use the second information to inform each terminal of the information needed to determine the corresponding first signal, so that the first signal can be determined based on the second information, thus providing a data basis for determining the second signal.

In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the second information includes at least one of the following: time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, signal format, or signal waveform.

In other words, the network device can use the second information to specifically indicate at least one of time domain resources, frequency domain resources, signal format, or signal waveform. In this way, the terminal can clearly know the information required to determine the first signal, and then the terminal can better determine the first signal based on the above-mentioned second information, providing a data basis for the subsequent determination of the second signal.

In conjunction with the first aspect mentioned above, in one possible implementation, the signal format is either a first format or a second format, wherein the second format indicates a smaller number of time-domain resources than the first format, and the second format indicates a larger number of frequency-domain resources than the first format.

In other words, this application provides two signal formats to broaden the application scope of the communication method provided by this application. However, even with the second signal format, the terminal can preprocess the first signal based on the first information corresponding to the terminal, determine the second signal of the terminal, and send the determined second signal. Since the second format indicates a shorter amount of time-domain resources, at least one terminal can transmit the second signal corresponding to each of the at least one terminal on the shorter time-domain resources. Furthermore, on the limited time-domain resources, the positions of the second time-domain resources for the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to each of the at least one terminal are different. This allows the network device to correctly parse the modulation symbols of each terminal transmitted on the limited time-domain resources, thereby enabling normal acquisition of data from the transmitting end without requiring the second signals of different terminals to occupy different first time-domain resources, further reducing the time-domain resource usage.

Furthermore, when the signal format is the second format, the terminal can directly send its first signal without preprocessing it based on the first information corresponding to that terminal. Since the second format indicates a shorter amount of time-domain resources, even if at least one terminal is performing time-division transmission normally in this case, the occupation of time-domain resources can be reduced to some extent. Additionally, in this case, the network device can also send the first information to the terminal to save communication overhead.

In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the signal waveform can be any of the following: Cyclic Prefix Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (CP-OFDM), Spread Spectrum Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) based on Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT-s-OFDM), or Filter User Carrier Orthogonal Amplitude Modulation (filter SC-QAM).

In other words, the embodiments of this application provide three types of signal waveforms to improve the application range of the signal waveforms of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application.

Secondly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first terminal, or by a component of the first terminal, such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system of the first terminal, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the first terminal. The following description uses the execution of this method by the first terminal as an example. The communication method includes: receiving first information corresponding to the first terminal and sending a second signal from the first terminal, wherein the first information is used to indicate information required for preprocessing the first signal; and the first terminal is any one of at least one terminal; the first time-domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in the at least one terminal include the same time-domain resources, and the positions of the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signals corresponding to each terminal in the at least one terminal are different, the first time-domain resources including at least one second time-domain resource; wherein the second signal of the first terminal is determined based on the first information corresponding to the first terminal through preprocessing of the first signals from the first terminal.

For example, preprocessing can be upsampling. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of preprocessing, and the preprocessing can also be other processes, which are not limited in this application embodiment.

For example, the first time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the first time-domain resource, and the first time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

For example, the second time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol sampling point. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the second time-domain resource, and the second time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first information includes at least one of the following: upsampling position, upsampling factor, or number of sampling points; the upsampling position is the position of the padding symbol inserted in the first signal.

In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the upsampling position corresponding to the preprocessing includes the number of inter-space padding symbols and/or a bitmap; wherein, the number of inter-space padding symbols is the number of padding symbols between every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal, and the number of inter-space padding symbols is determined based on the upsampling factor and/or the number of at least one terminal.

In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is determined based on at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the second signal from the first terminal; wherein, the number of first frequency domain resources is the largest number of frequency domain resources among the number of frequency domain resources of the first signal from at least one terminal; or, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is related to the first number, wherein the first number is the number of the same time domain resources, or the first number is the number of the same frequency domain resources included in the frequency domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal.

In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment further includes: receiving second information corresponding to the first terminal, wherein the second information is used to indicate the information required to determine the first signal.

In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the second information includes at least one of the following: time-domain resource information, frequency-domain resource information, signal format, or signal waveform.

In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the signal format is either a first format or a second format, wherein the number of time-domain resources indicated by the second format is less than the number of time-domain resources indicated by the first format, and the number of frequency-domain resources indicated by the second format is greater than the number of frequency-domain resources indicated by the first format.

In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the signal waveform can be any of the following: Cyclic Prefix Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (CP-OFDM), Spread Spectrum Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) based on Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT-s-OFDM), or Filter-User Carrier Orthogonal Amplitude Modulation (filter-SC-QAM).

The technical effects of the second aspect or any of its implementations can be found in the technical effects of the corresponding implementations of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

Thirdly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a network device, or by a component of the network device, such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system of the network device, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device. The following description uses the execution of this method by a network device as an example. The communication method includes: sending first information corresponding to each of at least one of the terminals, and receiving a second signal from each terminal. The first information includes at least one of the following: an upsampling position, an upsampling factor, or a number of sampling points; and the upsampling position is the position of a padding symbol inserted into the first signal; wherein the second signal from the first terminal is determined by preprocessing the first signal from the first terminal based on the first information corresponding to the first terminal, and the first terminal is any one of the at least one terminals.

For example, preprocessing can be upsampling. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of preprocessing, and the preprocessing can also be other processes, which are not limited in this application embodiment.

For example, the first time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the first time-domain resource, and the first time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

For example, the second time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol sampling point. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the second time-domain resource, and the second time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

In this embodiment, the network device can send first information corresponding to each of at least one terminal to inform it of preprocessing-related information, such as at least one of the following: upsampling position, upsampling factor, or number of sampling points. It also receives a second signal from each terminal, whereby the second signal is determined by preprocessing the first signal based on the first information. Because the network device assigns corresponding preprocessing-related information to each terminal, each terminal can perform adaptive preprocessing based on its corresponding signal. Therefore, the preprocessed second signal from each terminal can better meet its own preprocessing needs, avoiding signal conflicts caused by a fixed and singular preprocessing method. This allows the network device to correctly parse the modulation symbols of each terminal, thereby enabling it to correctly acquire data from the transmitting end while reducing time-domain resource consumption.

In conjunction with the third aspect above, in one possible implementation, the upsampling position corresponding to the preprocessing includes the number of inter-space padding symbols and/or a bitmap; wherein, the number of inter-space padding symbols is the number of padding symbols between every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal, and the number of inter-space padding symbols is determined based on the upsampling factor and/or the number of at least one terminal.

In conjunction with the third aspect above, in one possible implementation, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is determined based on at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal; wherein, the number of first frequency domain resources is the largest number of frequency domain resources among the number of frequency domain resources of the first signal from at least one terminal; or, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is related to the first number, wherein the first number is the number of the same time domain resources, or the first number is the number of the same frequency domain resources included in the frequency domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal.

In conjunction with the third aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment further includes: sending second information corresponding to each terminal, the second information being used to indicate the information required to determine the first signal.

In conjunction with the third aspect above, in one possible implementation, the second information includes at least one of the following: time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, signal format, or signal waveform.

In conjunction with the third aspect above, in one possible implementation, the signal format is either a first format or a second format, wherein the number of time-domain resources indicated by the second format is less than the number of time-domain resources indicated by the first format, and the number of frequency-domain resources indicated by the second format is greater than the number of frequency-domain resources indicated by the first format.

In conjunction with the third aspect mentioned above, in one possible implementation, the signal waveform can be any of the following: Cyclic Prefix Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (CP-OFDM), Spread Spectrum Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) based on Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT-s-OFDM), or Filter-User Carrier Orthogonal Amplitude Modulation (SC-QAM).

The technical effects of the third aspect or any of the implementation methods in the third aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the corresponding implementation methods in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

Fourthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first terminal, or by a component of the first terminal, such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system of the first terminal, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the first terminal. The following description uses the execution of this method by the first terminal as an example. The communication method includes: receiving first information corresponding to the first terminal, and sending a second signal from the first terminal. The first information includes at least one of the following: an upsampling position, an upsampling factor, or a number of sampling points; wherein the upsampling position is the position of a padding symbol inserted into the first signal; and wherein the second signal from the first terminal is determined by preprocessing the first signal from the first terminal based on the first information corresponding to the first terminal.

For example, preprocessing can be upsampling. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of preprocessing, and the preprocessing can also be other processes, which are not limited in this application embodiment.

For example, the first time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the first time-domain resource, and the first time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

For example, the second time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol sampling point. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the second time-domain resource, and the second time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

In conjunction with the fourth aspect above, in one possible implementation, the upsampling position corresponding to the preprocessing includes the number of inter-space padding symbols and/or a bitmap; wherein, the number of inter-space padding symbols is the number of padding symbols between every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal, and the number of inter-space padding symbols is determined based on the upsampling factor and/or the number of at least one terminal.

In conjunction with the fourth aspect above, in one possible implementation, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is determined based on at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the second signal from the first terminal; wherein, the number of first frequency domain resources is the largest number of frequency domain resources among the number of frequency domain resources of the first signal from at least one terminal; or, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is related to the first number, wherein the first number is the number of the same time domain resources, or the first number is the number of the same frequency domain resources included in the frequency domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal.

In conjunction with the fourth aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment further includes: receiving second information corresponding to the first terminal, wherein the second information is used to indicate the information required to determine the first signal.

In conjunction with the fourth aspect above, in one possible implementation, the second information includes at least one of the following: time-domain resource information, frequency-domain resource information, signal format, or signal waveform.

In conjunction with the fourth aspect above, in one possible implementation, the signal format is either a first format or a second format, wherein the number of time-domain resources indicated by the second format is less than the number of time-domain resources indicated by the first format, and the number of frequency-domain resources indicated by the second format is greater than the number of frequency-domain resources indicated by the first format.

In conjunction with the fourth aspect above, in one possible implementation, the signal waveform can be any of the following: Cyclic Prefix Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (CP-OFDM), Spread Spectrum Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) based on Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT-s-OFDM), or Filter-User Carrier Orthogonal Amplitude Modulation (filter-SC-QAM).

The technical effects of the fourth aspect or any of its implementations can be found in the technical effects of the corresponding implementations of the first aspect or third-party aspects, and will not be elaborated here.

Fifthly, a communication device is provided for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device can be a network device as described in the first aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the network device, or a device included in the network device, such as a chip; or, the communication device can be a terminal as described in the second aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the terminal, or a device included in the terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device can be a network device as described in the third aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the network device, or a device included in the network device, such as a chip; or, the communication device can be a terminal as described in the fourth aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the terminal, or a device included in the terminal, such as a chip. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the methods described above, which can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

In some possible designs, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module, also referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement the transmission and/or reception functions in any of the above aspects and their possible implementations. The transceiver module may consist of transceiver circuits, transceivers, transceivers, or communication interfaces. The processing module can be used to implement the processing functions in any of the above aspects and their possible implementations.

In some possible designs, the transceiver module includes a sending module and a receiving module, which are used to implement the sending and receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation methods.

A sixth aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is configured to store computer instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to perform the method of any of the preceding aspects. The communication device may be a network device as described in the first aspect or any implementation thereof, or an apparatus comprising the network device, or an apparatus contained within the network device, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a terminal as described in the second aspect or any implementation thereof, or an apparatus comprising the terminal, or an apparatus contained within the terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a network device as described in the third aspect or any implementation thereof, or an apparatus comprising the network device, or an apparatus contained within the network device, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a terminal as described in the fourth aspect or any implementation thereof, or an apparatus comprising the terminal, or an apparatus contained within the terminal, such as a chip.

A seventh aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface being used to communicate with a module outside the communication device; the processor being used to execute computer programs or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method of any of the above aspects. The communication device may be a network device as described in the first aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the network device, or a device included in the network device, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a terminal as described in the second aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the terminal, or a device included in the terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a network device as described in the third aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the network device, or a device included in the network device, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a terminal as described in the fourth aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the terminal, or a device included in the terminal, such as a chip.

Eighthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; the processor being configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to cause the communication device to perform the methods of any of the above aspects. The memory may be coupled to the processor, or may be independent of the processor. The communication device may be a network device as described in the first aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the network device, or a device included in the network device, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a terminal as described in the second aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the terminal, or a device included in the terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a network device as described in the third aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the network device, or a device included in the network device, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a terminal as described in the fourth aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the terminal, or a device included in the terminal, such as a chip.

Ninthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to perform the methods of any of the above aspects or any implementation thereof.

In a tenth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when run on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute any of the above aspects or any implementation thereof.

Eleventhly, a communication device (e.g., a chip or chip system) is provided, the communication device including a processor for implementing the functions involved in any of the above aspects or any implementation thereof.

In some possible designs, the communication device includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data.

In some possible designs, when the device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or contain chips and other discrete components.

It is understood that when the communication device provided by any of the third to sixth aspects is a chip, the aforementioned sending action/function can be understood as an output, and the aforementioned receiving action/function can be understood as an input.

In a twelfth aspect, a symbol processing method is provided, which includes the method of the first aspect or any implementation thereof, and the method of the second aspect or any implementation thereof.

In a thirteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the network equipment and terminal equipment described above.

The technical effects of any of the implementation methods in aspects five through thirteen can be found in the technical effects of the corresponding implementation method in aspect one, and will not be repeated here.

It should be noted that any of the possible implementations of any of the above aspects can be combined, provided that the solutions do not contradict each other.

Attached Figure Description

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the signal generation process of a filter SC-QAM waveform provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the energy distribution of a signal before and after shaping filtering according to an embodiment of this application;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of UCI transmission in a multi-user scenario provided by an embodiment of this application;

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the time-frequency domain resource distribution of the uplink signal of each terminal in at least one terminal provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an ORAN structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a first time-domain resource and a second time-domain resource provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 10 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 11 is an example diagram of a time-domain resource provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the time-frequency domain resource distribution of a second signal from each of at least one terminal in a second format provided by an embodiment of this application;

Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the time-frequency domain resource distribution of the second signal from each of at least one terminal in a second format provided by an embodiment of this application;

Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of two methods of symbol expansion processing provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 15 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 16 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

Detailed Implementation

To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, a brief introduction to the relevant technologies of this application is given first. The brief introduction is as follows:

1. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)

OFDM is a frequency division multiplexing multi-carrier transmission waveform. The signals involved in the multiplexing are orthogonal. Through serial-to-parallel conversion, the high-speed data stream is converted into multiple parallel low-speed data streams, and then the above-mentioned multiple parallel low-speed data streams are distributed to several subcarriers of different frequencies for transmission.

Understandably, in traditional frequency division multiplexing (FDM) systems, there are guard intervals between the signals, meaning that the spectra of the subcarriers carrying each signal do not overlap. However, in OFDM systems, the signals are orthogonal, causing the spectra of the subcarriers carrying each signal to overlap. This allows OFDM technology to improve spectral efficiency.

However, since OFDM waveforms are multi-carrier transmission waveforms, meaning the output OFDM signal is a superposition of multiple sub-channel signals, if these sub-channel signals are in phase, the instantaneous power of the signal obtained from their superposition is much higher than the average power, resulting in a large peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). A high PAPR requires the transmitter's amplifier to have high linearity; otherwise, signal distortion or spectral changes may occur, disrupting the orthogonality between the sub-channel signals, causing interference, and ultimately degrading the performance of the communication system.

2. Spreading Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) based on Discrete Fourier Transform

DFT-s-OFDM is a derivative technology based on OFDM, also known as linear precoding OFDM technology. It mainly involves precoding the data by communication equipment (e.g., the local oscillator (LO) of the transmitter and/or receiver) before performing subcarrier mapping processing.

Understandably, the PAPR of a DFT-s-OFDM signal after precoding is lower than that of an OFDM signal. This results in higher output power and amplifier efficiency for DFT-s-OFDM signals when the power amplifier is the same, thereby improving coverage and reducing power consumption. Furthermore, since the coverage and power consumption advantages of DFT-s-OFDM signals are more pronounced at the terminal side, the uplink signal is typically a DFT-s-OFDM signal in current communication systems.

3. Uplink control channel and uplink data channel

During uplink transmission, the signals sent by network devices to terminals are also called uplink signals, which include uplink control signals and uplink data signals. In this embodiment, the uplink control channel is a channel carrying uplink control signals. The uplink control channel in this embodiment can also be understood as the uplink control signal itself, and it can be a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). The uplink control channel in this embodiment can also be understood as a channel carrying uplink data signals, and it can also be understood as the uplink data signal itself. The uplink data channel can be a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). For higher layers, these channels correspond to REs carrying bit information from the upper layer (e.g., Layer 2); for the air interface, these channels carry wireless signals.

It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, PUSCH and PUCCH are used as examples of uplink data channel and uplink control channel, respectively. In different systems and different scenarios, uplink data channel and uplink control channel may have different names, and the embodiments of this application do not limit them in any way.

4. Uplink control information (UCI)

UCI is used to indicate configuration information related to the data to be transmitted (e.g., time/frequency position, modulation information, etc.). Although downlink control information (DCI) can only be carried in the downlink control channel, the aforementioned UCI can be carried not only in PUCCH but also in PUSCH.

The relevant protocols specify five formats for the aforementioned UCI: format0, format1, format2, format3, and format4. Formats0 and 2 are short formats, meaning their UCI typically occupies 1 to 2 OFDM symbols. These short formats are primarily used in short-latency scenarios requiring rapid feedback. Formats1, 3, and 4 are long formats, meaning their UCI typically occupies 4 to 14 OFDM symbols. Because long-format UCIs have a longer coverage distance, they are primarily used in coverage scenarios.

Furthermore, for short-format UCI, Figure 3 illustrates the transmission of UCI in a multi-user scenario. As shown in Figure 3(a), UCI carried on the PUCCH and UCI carried on the PUSCH can be transmitted in time division. For example, UCI carried on the PUCCH occupies 1 to 2 OFDM symbols, and UCI carried on the PUSCH occupies 4 to 14 OFDM symbols. In this case, the modulation scheme corresponding to the above UCI is QPSK, or the above UCI is a ZC sequence.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the ZC sequence is a special sequence widely used in the field of communications. Due to the low PAPR of the ZC sequence, uplink signals (e.g., UCI) are typically ZC sequences.

For long-format UCI, as shown in Figure 3(b), the UCI carried on the PUCCH can be transmitted along with the UCI carried on the PUSCH. For example, the UCI carried on the PUCCH and the UCI carried on the PUSCH occupy the same OFDM symbols (e.g., 4 to 14 OFDM symbols), while the UCI carried on the PUCCH and the UCI carried on the PUSCH occupy different frequency domain resources. In this case, the modulation scheme corresponding to the above UCI is either binary phase shift keying (BPSK) or quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK).

5. Transmitting resources

The aforementioned transmission resources may include time-domain resources and/or frequency-domain resources.

The time-domain resource can refer to any of the following: a time slot, or a bundle group of multiple time slots. One time slot includes multiple consecutive orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and the number of OFDM symbols included in one time slot is related to the subcarrier spacing (SCS).

Frequency domain resources can refer to any of the following: a physical resource block (RB), a group of RBs, or a precoding resource block group (PRG). An RB, also known as a physical resource block (PRB), is the basic unit of frequency resources in communication systems supporting cyclic prefix (CP)-OFDM or DFT-s-OFDM. An RB typically consists of N resource elements (REs), and an RE can also be called a subcarrier. N is typically 12. A PRG is the basic unit of frequency domain resources used for precoding by communication equipment. A PRG can include multiple RBs or resource element groups (REGs).

6. Filter (subscriber carrier, SC) - Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM)

Filtered SC-QAM is a single-carrier waveform of a large-bandwidth signal that requires neither DFT nor inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) processing. In other words, if the waveform of a large-bandwidth signal is filtered SC-QAM, then DFT and IFFT processing are unnecessary during the generation of the large-bandwidth signal. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the signal generation process of a filtered SC-QAM waveform. As shown in Figure 1, the generation of a filtered SC-QAM waveform can involve various processing operations: channel coding, symbol modulation, CP addition, upsampling, shaping filtering, and downsampling. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the various processing operations required to generate a filtered SC-QAM waveform. Other processing operations may also be included, such as time-based scheduling (TBS) calculation, low-density parity check (LDPC) coding, precoding, and mid-radio frequency processing. This application does not impose any limitations on these operations.

The following provides a detailed explanation of the various processing operations described above.

Signal encoding refers to the process of converting data into information bits.

Symbol modulation refers to the modulation of the aforementioned information bits by a modulator to determine the modulation symbol. In other words, the information bits generated by the channel coding can be used as the input of the modulator, while the modulation symbol can be used as the output of the modulator.

Optionally, in scenarios with high bandwidth transmission, in order to maximize coverage, network devices or terminals can typically use pi/2-binary phase shift keying (BPSK) for modulation.

Adding a CP (Cyclic Symbol Prefix) refers to adding several modulation symbols before each equivalent OFDM symbol. After passing through a multipath delay-spreading channel, the signal with added CP can effectively protect against inter-symbol interference (ISI). The length of the CP added to the time-domain generated signal, after upsampling and possible downsampling, is the same as the CP length of the signal generated by the inverse Fourier transform (FFT) in the new radio (NR) interface. This facilitates uniform CP removal at the receiver. The required CP length needs to be calculated based on the upsampling and downsampling rates.

Upsampling refers to adding at least one zero symbol between every two adjacent modulation symbols.

Downsampling refers to removing at least one zero symbol from every two adjacent modulation symbols.

It should be noted that the time-domain signal is essentially a synthesized signal that can be matched with the OFDM symbol sampling rate corresponding to the number of FFT points. In other words, the signal generated in the time domain (e.g., a single-carrier signal) needs to match the OFDM symbol sampling rate so that the receiver can uniformly receive the aforementioned time-domain signal. Since the main purpose of downsampling is to adjust the symbol rate of the aforementioned time-domain signal to the symbol rate of OFDM corresponding to the number of FFT points, however, when the symbol rate of the time-domain signal after upsampling through the signal convolution filter is the same as the symbol rate of OFDM corresponding to the number of FFT points, the terminal may not need to downsample the aforementioned time-domain symbols, or it can be understood that the downsampling factor is 1. Therefore, the aforementioned downsampling operation is an optional step.

Shaping filtering refers to the redistribution of signal energy to obtain a signal that meets certain requirements. For example, Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the signal energy distribution before and after shaping filtering. The signal before shaping filtering is shown in Figure 2(a), while the signal after shaping filtering is shown in Figure 2(b). As can be seen from Figure 2, the signal before shaping filtering exhibits a rectangular energy distribution, while the signal after shaping filtering exhibits a triangular energy distribution.

Specifically, the above-described shaping filtering process can be applied to the signal using a root-square raised cosine filter with a certain spread factor (also known as a roll-off factor or roll-off coefficient). Of course, the above is merely an illustrative example of filtering; other filtering processes can also be used, meaning that other filters can be employed to filter the signal.

Optionally, the aforementioned spreading factor is related to the amount of data to be transmitted and/or the amount of frequency domain resources of the filtered signal. In this case, the roll-off factor β can satisfy the following formula 1:
β＝(NM)/M Formula 1

Where N represents the amount of data to be transmitted (e.g., the number of modulation symbols). M represents the number of frequency domain resources of the filtered signal (e.g., the number of subcarriers or the number of resource elements (REs)). Furthermore, since an RE typically occupies one subcarrier in the frequency domain, the aforementioned number of REs in the frequency domain can be understood as the number of subcarriers. Of course, the above is merely illustrative and does not impose any limitation on the number of REs involved in this application.

Understandably, for the receiver, the filter response can be considered part of the channel response. As long as the pilot signal and data signal undergo the same processing, the receiver can eliminate the filter's influence on the signal during channel estimation and equalization. Therefore, for the signal after pulse shaping filtering, the transmitter can utilize the characteristics of Fourier transform and binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation during signal generation to set the filter's roll-off factor to 1, avoiding adverse effects on the signal's PAPR and allowing the receiver to recover the signal normally. However, using other filters to filter the signal can easily negatively impact the PAPR, leading to performance degradation in out-of-band power, EVM, and block error rate (BLER).

Optionally, the relevant parameters required to determine the signal of the filtered SC-QAM waveform may include at least one of the following: index, number of physical resource blocks (PRB), number of resource units (RE), system bandwidth (system BW), roll-off factor (β), number of FFTs (FFT size), CP length (CP length), in-symbol CP length (in-symbol CP), symbol rate (symbol rate), upsampling factor (K), or downsampling factor (L). Furthermore, the aforementioned system bandwidth can be the system bandwidth at the resource unit granularity.

Furthermore, optionally, the aforementioned index, upsampling factor, and downsampling factor correspond to other parameters among the relevant parameters required to determine the filtered SC-QAM waveform. That is, if at least one of the index, upsampling factor, and downsampling factor is different, at least one of the other relevant parameters required to determine the filtered SC-QAM waveform—namely, the number of physical resource blocks, the number of resource units, system bandwidth, roll-off factor, number of FFTs, CP length, intra-symbol CP length, and symbol rate—will be different.

For example, as shown in Table 1 below, with an index of 0, an upsampling factor of 4, and an downsampling factor of 3, the number of physical resource blocks can be 256, the number of resource units can be 3072, the system bandwidth can be 3276×30kHz (i.e., 98.28MHz), the roll-off factor can be 1, the number of FFTs can be 4096, the CP length can be 288, the intra-symbol CP length can be 216, and the symbol rate can be 3288 samples/OFDM symbol.

With an index of 1, an upsampling factor of 8, and an downsampling factor of 3, the number of physical resource blocks can be 256, the number of resource units can be 3072, the system bandwidth can be 3276×30kHz (i.e., 98.28MHz), the roll-off factor can be 1, the number of FFTs can be 8192, the CP length can be 576, the intra-symbol CP length can be 216, and the symbol rate can be 3288.

With an index of 2, an upsampling factor of 4, and an downsampling factor of 3, the number of physical resource blocks can be 512, the number of resource units can be 6144, the system bandwidth can be 6552×30kHz (i.e., 196.56MHz), the roll-off factor can be 1, the number of FFTs can be 8192, the CP length can be 576, the intra-symbol CP length can be 432, and the symbol rate can be 6576.

With an index of 3, an upsampling factor of 1, and an downsampling factor of 1, the number of physical resource blocks can be 341, the number of resource units can be 4092, the system bandwidth can be 4096×30kHz (i.e., 122.88MHz), the roll-off factor can be 1, the number of FFTs can be 4096, the CP length can be 288, the intra-symbol CP length can be 288, and the symbol rate can be 4384.

With an index of 4, an upsampling factor of 1, and an downsampling factor of 1, the number of physical resource blocks can be 682, the number of resource units can be 8184, the system bandwidth can be 8192×30kHz (i.e., 245.76MHz), the roll-off factor can be 1, the number of FFTs can be 8192, the CP length can be 576, the intra-symbol CP length can be 576, and the symbol rate can be 8768.

The above is merely an illustrative example of the information shown in Table 1. For related examples other than those described above, please refer to Table 1 below for further understanding; they will not be elaborated upon here.

Table 1

Understandably, the filter SC-QAM waveform is compatible with existing single-carrier receivers, and it offers advantages such as low signal complexity and low PAPR. Therefore, the filter SC-QAM waveform shows great promise for applications in scenarios with high coverage requirements.

Currently, uplink signals can be divided into short-format uplink signals and long-format uplink signals. Since the coverage distance of long-format uplink signals is longer than that of short-format uplink signals, long-format uplink signals are usually used in coverage scenarios.

As mentioned earlier regarding "as-in-the-path transmission," in multi-user transmission scenarios, the long-format uplink signal carried in the PUCCH can be transmitted using the as-in-the-path transmission method. However, uplink signals transmitted using this method require multiple processing steps: CP addition, upsampling, shaping filtering, and downsampling. This results in network devices needing to perform demodulation, channel estimation, equalization, and inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) processing after receiving the uplink signal to separate the uplink signal carried in the PUSCH from the uplink signal carried in the PUCCH. Therefore, if the uplink signal carried in the PUCCH is transmitted using the as-in-the-path transmission method, the processing latency of the network device is high, which is detrimental to the network device's processing of multi-user uplink signals.

To avoid the aforementioned problems, in multi-user transmission scenarios, the long-format uplink signal still needs to be transmitted using time-division multiplexing. However, the long-format uplink signal occupies a large amount of time-domain resources, and time-division multiplexing requires different terminals to occupy different time-domain resources to send the uplink signal. This results in a large amount of time-domain resources being occupied, leading to high time-domain resource overhead for uplink signal transmission.

For example, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the time-frequency domain resource distribution of the uplink signal for each terminal in at least one terminal. As shown in Figure 4, assuming that the at least one terminal includes terminal 1 and terminal 2, the time-domain resources of the uplink signal of terminal 1 include OFDM symbols 1 to 13, and the time-domain resources of the uplink signal of terminal 2 include OFDM symbols x to x+13, then the two terminals need to occupy 28 OFDM symbols to complete the uplink signal transmission. That is to say, the two terminals need to occupy a relatively large number of OFDM symbols to complete the uplink signal transmission.

In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method in which a network device can send first information corresponding to each of at least one terminal to inform each terminal of the information required for preprocessing the first signal, and receive a second signal from each terminal, wherein the second signal is determined based on the first information after preprocessing the first signal. Since the first time domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal include the same time domain resources, and the positions of the second time domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signals corresponding to each terminal in at least one terminal are different, the second signals from different terminals in at least one terminal can be transmitted on the same time domain resources, but the positions of the second time domain resources of the modulation symbols in the second signals of different terminals do not conflict. In this way, the network device can normally parse the modulation symbols of each terminal, and thus can normally obtain the data from the transmitting end, without having the second signals of different terminals occupy different first time domain resources, thereby achieving the effect of reducing time domain resource occupation.

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

To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points will be explained before introducing the embodiments of this application.

1. In the embodiments of this application, for ease of description, when numbering is involved, it can start from 1 and be numbered consecutively, or it can start from 0 and be numbered from any parameter. It should be understood that the above are settings made for the convenience of describing the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application.

2. In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction and indirect instruction, as well as explicit instruction and implicit instruction. The information indicated by a certain piece of information (such as the first instruction information below) is called the information to be instructed. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is an association between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement order of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. At the same time, the common parts of various pieces of information can be identified and indicated uniformly to reduce the instruction overhead caused by individually indicating the same information.

Furthermore, the specific indication method can also be any existing indication method, such as, but not limited to, the above-mentioned indication methods and their various combinations. Specific details of various indication methods can be found in existing technologies, and will not be repeated here. As can be seen from the above, for example, when multiple pieces of information of the same type need to be indicated, the indication methods for different pieces of information may differ. In the specific implementation process, the required indication method can be selected according to specific needs. This application embodiment does not limit the selected indication method; therefore, the indication methods involved in this application embodiment should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated.

It should be understood that the information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information messages sent separately, and the sending period and/or timing of these sub-information messages can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited in this application embodiment. The sending period and/or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, predefined according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device. This configuration information can include, for example, but not limited to, radio resource control signaling, such as Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, multiple access channel (MAC) layer signaling, physical layer signaling, or one or at least a combination of two of UCI.

3. "Predefined" or "pre-configured" can be achieved by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminal devices and/or network devices). This application embodiment does not limit the specific implementation method. "Saving" can refer to saving in one or more memories. The one or more memories can be separate settings or integrated into the encoder or decoder, processor, or communication device. The one or more memories can also be partially separate settings and partially integrated into the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

4. The “protocol” involved in the embodiments of this application may refer to standard protocols in the field of communication, such as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol, the New Radio (NR) protocol, and related protocols applied to future communication systems. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

5. In the embodiments of this application, the descriptions such as "when," "under the circumstances," "if," and "if" all refer to the fact that the device (e.g., a terminal device or a network device) will make corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances. They are not time limits, nor do they require the device (e.g., a terminal device or a network device) to have a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there are other limitations.

6. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "/" indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A/B can represent A or B. The "and/or" in the embodiments of this application is merely a description of the relationship between the related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and/or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" refers to two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, a to b, a to c, b to c, or a to b to c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Furthermore, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with substantially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and that "first" and "second" are not necessarily different. Meanwhile, in the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is being used as an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete manner for ease of understanding.

The embodiments of this application can be applied to LTE or NR systems (also known as 5th generation mobile communication technology (5G) systems), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, LTE and NR hybrid networking systems, device-to-device (D2D) systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems (such as narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems), and other future communication systems. Alternatively, the communication system can also be a non-3GPP communication system, without limitation.

Furthermore, the communication architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of communication architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

Figure 5 illustrates a possible, non-limiting system diagram. As shown in Figure 5, the communication system 5000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 500 and a core network (CN) 600. RAN 500 includes at least one RAN node (510a and 510b in Figure 5, collectively referred to as 510) and at least one terminal (520a-520j in Figure 5, collectively referred to as 520). RAN 500 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and/or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 5). Terminal 520 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 510. RAN node 510 is wirelessly or wired connected to core network 600. The core network equipment in core network 600 and RAN node 510 in RAN 500 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

RAN 500 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or future-oriented evolution systems (e.g., future mobile communication systems). RAN 500 can also be an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN, or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN 500 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

RAN node 510, sometimes also referred to as access network equipment, RAN entity, or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and is used to help terminals achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 510 in communication system 5000 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 510 and terminal 520 are relative. For example, network element 520i in Figure 5 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 520j accessing RAN 500 through network element 520i, network element 520i is a base station; but for base station 510a, network element 520i is a terminal. RAN node 510 and terminal 520 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 510a and 510b in Figure 5 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 520a-520j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a future mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. A RAN node can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 5, 510a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 5, 510b), a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, a RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU).

In another possible scenario, Figure 6 illustrates a possible, non-limiting ORAN structure. As shown in Figure 6, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

In some examples, the CU is a logical node carrying the RRC layer, Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network equipment. The CU connects to network nodes such as the core network through interfaces, which can be interfaces such as E2 interfaces. Optionally, the CU may have some core network functions. The CU (e.g., PDCP layer and higher layers) connects to the DU (e.g., RLC layer and lower layers) through interfaces, which can be interfaces such as F1 interfaces. In some examples, these interfaces (e.g., F1 interfaces) can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). F1AP is the application protocol of the F1 interface, defining the F1 signaling procedures in some examples. The F1 interface supports control plane F1-C and user plane F1-U.

In some examples, the CU can be split into CU-CP (Control Unit-Control Plane) and CU-UP (Control Unit-User Plane). CU-CP is a logical node carrying the RRC layer and PDCP-C (Control plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the CU's control plane functions. CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be access and mobility function (AMF) network elements, such as Access and Mobility Management (AMF) elements in 5G systems. AMF elements are responsible for mobility management in mobile networks, such as terminal device location updates, terminal device registration with the network, and terminal device handover. CU-UP is a logical node carrying the SDAP layer and PDCP-U (User plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the CU's user plane functions. CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. In the core network, network elements used to implement user plane functions, such as the UPF (User Plane Function) in a 5G system, are responsible for forwarding and receiving data in terminal devices. The above configuration of CU and DU is merely an example; the functions of CU and DU can be configured as needed. For example, CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or to have only some protocol layer processing functions. For instance, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency, placing functions that need to meet low latency requirements in the DU and functions that do not need to meet such latency requirements in the CU.

In some examples, a DU is a logical node that carries the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, Higher Physical Layer (PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, a DU can control at least one RU. The DU connects to the RU through interfaces, which may be fronthaul interfaces. In some examples, the higher PHY layer includes the PHY layer processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, and demodulation.

In some examples, the RU is a logical node that carries both lower physical layer (PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, the RU can be a 3GPP transmission reception point (TRP), a remote radio head (RRH), or other similar entities. In some examples, the low-PHY includes portions of the PHY processing, such as fast fourier transform (FFT), IFFT, digital beamforming, and filtering. The RU communicates with one or more UEs via a radio link.

The DU and RU can be co-located or separate. The DU and RU exchange control plane and user plane information via a fronthaul link through a lower-layer split-control, user, and synchronization (LLS-CUS) interface. LLS-CUS may include LLS-C and LLS-U interfaces providing the control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane), respectively. In some examples, the control plane (C-Plane) refers to real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management information via an LLS-M interface on the fronthaul link; the management plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU. Furthermore, the RU can also communicate with the management system via the LLS-M interface.

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

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

In one possible scenario, a terminal can be a device used to implement wireless communication functions, such as a terminal or a chip that can be used in a terminal. Specifically, a terminal can be a user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal unit, terminal station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, wireless communication device, terminal agent, or terminal device in a 5G network or a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN). Access terminals can be cellular phones, cordless phones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices or wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc. In one possible implementation, the terminal can be mobile or fixed.

In one possible implementation, the network device and terminal in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a communication device, which may be a general-purpose device or a special-purpose device. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

In one possible implementation, the relevant functions of the terminal or network device in this application embodiment can be implemented by one device, multiple devices working together, or one or more functional modules within a single device. This application embodiment does not specifically limit this. It is understood that the above functions can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, a combination of hardware and software, or virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

For example, the functions of the terminal or network device in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by the communication device 710 in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a possible communication device. It is understood that the communication device 710 includes means of the necessary form, such as modules, units, elements, circuits, or interfaces, to be appropriately configured together to perform this solution. The communication device 710 may be a RAN node, terminal, core network device, or other network device as shown in FIG. 5, or it may be a component (e.g., a chip) in these devices to implement the methods described in the following method embodiments. The communication device 710 includes one or more processors 711. The processor 711 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the communication device (e.g., RAN node, terminal, or chip, etc.), execute software programs, and process data of the software programs.

Optionally, in one design, the processor 711 may include a program 713 (sometimes also referred to as code or instructions), which can be executed on the processor 711 to cause the communication device 710 to perform the methods described in the embodiments below. In yet another possible design, the communication device 710 includes circuitry (not shown in FIG. 7) for implementing the communication functions in the embodiments below.

Optionally, the communication device 710 may include one or more memories 712 storing a program 714 (sometimes referred to as code or instructions), which can be run on the processor 711 to cause the communication device 710 to perform the methods described in the following method embodiments.

Optionally, the processor 711 and/or memory 712 may include artificial intelligence (AI) modules 717 and 718, which are used to implement AI-related functions. AI modules 717 or 718 can be implemented through software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, AI modules 717 or 718 may include a radio intelligent controller (RIC) module. For example, AI modules 717 or 718 can be near real-time RICs or non-real-time RICs.

Optionally, data may also be stored in the processor 711 and/or the memory 712. The processor and memory may be configured separately or integrated together.

Optionally, the communication device 710 may also include a transceiver 715 and/or an antenna 716. The processor 711, sometimes referred to as a processing unit, controls the communication device (e.g., a RAN node or terminal). The transceiver 715, sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, is used to implement the transmission and reception functions of the communication device via the antenna 716.

The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 8.

It should be noted that the message names, parameter names, or information names between network elements in the following embodiments of this application are merely examples, and may be other names in other embodiments. The method provided in the embodiments of this application does not specifically limit these names. It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, each network element may execute some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are examples, and the embodiments of this application may also execute other operations or variations thereof. Furthermore, the steps may be executed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and may not necessarily involve executing all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

Figure 8 illustrates an example of a communication method provided in this application. The method is described using the interaction between a terminal and a network device as an example. Of course, the entity executing the terminal action in this method can also be a device/module within the terminal, such as a chip, processor, or processing unit within the terminal. Similarly, the entity executing the network device action in this method can also be a device/module within the network device, such as a chip, processor, or processing unit within the network device. This application does not specifically limit this aspect. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the communication method includes the following steps:

S801, the network device sends first information corresponding to each of at least one terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the first information corresponding to itself.

The first terminal is any one of at least one terminals. The first information indicates information required for preprocessing the first signal. The first time-domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in the at least one terminal include the same time-domain resources, and the positions of the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to each terminal in the at least one terminal are different. The first time-domain resources include at least one second time-domain resource.

For example, the first signal mentioned above can be a signal carried on the PUSCH or a signal carried on the PUCCH. Specifically, optionally, the first signal can be a UCI carried on the PUSCH or a UCI carried on the PUCCH. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the first signal, and the first signal can also be a signal carried on other uplink channels, other signals carried on the PUSCH, or other signals carried on the PUCCH. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

It is understood that the first time domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal include the same time domain resources, which can be understood as the first time domain resources of the first signals from the aforementioned different terminals may overlap.

One example (denoted as Example 1) is illustrated in Figure 9, which shows a schematic diagram of the first and second time-domain resources. As shown in Figure 9(a), taking the example of at least one terminal including terminal 1 and terminal 2, and the first time-domain resource being an OFDM symbol: Assuming that the first time-domain resource of the first signal of terminal 1 includes OFDM symbol 1, and the first time-domain resource of the first signal of terminal 2 includes OFDM symbol 1, then both the first time-domain resources of the first signal of terminal 1 and the first time-domain resources of the first signal of terminal 2 include OFDM symbol 1. Furthermore, the aforementioned OFDM symbol 1 includes 512 OFDM symbol sampling points.

An example (denoted as Example 2), as shown in Figure 9(b), is illustrated by taking the above-mentioned at least one terminal including terminal 1 and terminal 2, and the first time-domain resource being OFDM symbols: Assume that the first time-domain resource of the first signal of terminal 1 includes OFDM symbols 2 and 4, and the first time-domain resource of the first signal of terminal 2 includes OFDM symbols 2 and 5. Then, the first time-domain resources of both the first signal of terminal 1 and the first signal of terminal 2 include OFDM symbol 2. Furthermore, this OFDM symbol 2 includes 1024 OFDM symbol sampling points.

One example (denoted as Example 3), as shown in Figure 9(c), is illustrated by taking the example of at least one terminal including terminal 1, terminal 2, terminal 3, and terminal 4, and the first time-domain resource being an OFDM symbol: Assume that the first time-domain resource of the first signal of terminal 1 includes OFDM symbol 3, the first time-domain resource of the first signal of terminal 2 includes OFDM symbol 3, the first time-domain resource of the first signal of terminal 3 includes OFDM symbol 3, and the first time-domain resource of the first signal of terminal 4 includes OFDM symbol 3. Then, the first time-domain resources of the first signal of terminal 1, the first time-domain resources of the first signal of terminal 2, the first time-domain resources of the first signal of terminal 3, and the first time-domain resources of the first signal of terminal 4 all include OFDM symbol 3. Furthermore, this OFDM symbol 3 includes 1024 OFDM symbol sampling points.

It is understandable that the positions of the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to each terminal in at least one terminal are different, which can be understood as the positions of the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to the different terminals do not overlap.

Referring to Example 1 above, as shown in Figure 9(a), an example is given using OFDM symbol sampling points as the second time-domain resource: Assume that the second time-domain resource of the modulation symbol in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 1 is the sampling point at the odd position in OFDM symbol 1, for example, the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, ..., 509th and 511th OFDM sampling points; and the second time-domain resource of the modulation symbol in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 2 is the sampling point at the even position in OFDM symbol 1, for example, the 2nd, 4th, 6th, ..., 510th and 512th OFDM sampling points. Then, the positions of the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbol in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 1 and the positions of the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbol in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 2 do not overlap.

Referring to Example 2 above, as shown in Figure 9(b), an example is given using OFDM symbol sampling points as the second time-domain resource: Assume that the second time-domain resources of every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 1 are spaced 3 sampling points apart, and the starting modulation symbol is the first OFDM symbol sampling point in OFDM symbol 2. That is, the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 1 are the 1st, 5th, 9th, 13th, ..., 505th, and 509th OFDM sampling points in OFDM symbol 2; the preprocessed signal corresponding to terminal 2... In the first signal after processing, the second time-domain resources of every two adjacent modulation symbols are spaced by one sampling point, and the position of the starting modulation symbol is the second OFDM symbol sampling point in OFDM symbol 2. That is, the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 2 are the 2nd, 4th, 6th, ..., 510th and 512th OFDM sampling points in OFDM symbol 2. Therefore, the positions of the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 1 and the positions of the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 2 do not overlap.

Referring to Example 3 above, as shown in Figure 9(c), an example is given using OFDM symbol sampling points as the second time-domain resource: Assume that there are 3 sampling points between the second time-domain resources of every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 1, and the position of the starting modulation symbol is the first OFDM symbol sampling point in OFDM symbol 3. That is, the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 1 are the 1st, 5th, 9th, 13th, ..., 505th, and 509th OFDM sampling points in OFDM symbol 3.

In the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 2, the second time-domain resources of every two adjacent modulation symbols are spaced 3 sampling points apart, and the position of the starting modulation symbol is the second OFDM symbol sampling point in OFDM symbol 3. That is, the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 2 are the 2nd, 6th, 10th, 14th, ..., 506th and 510th OFDM sampling points in OFDM symbol 3.

In the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 3, the second time-domain resources of every two adjacent modulation symbols are spaced 3 sampling points apart, and the position of the starting modulation symbol is the 3rd OFDM symbol sampling point in OFDM symbol 3. That is, the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 3 are the 3rd, 7th, 11th, 15th, ..., 507th and 511th OFDM sampling points in OFDM symbol 3.

In the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 4, the second time-domain resources of every two adjacent modulation symbols are spaced 3 sampling points apart, and the position of the starting modulation symbol is the 4th OFDM symbol sampling point in OFDM symbol 3. That is, the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 4 are the 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, ..., 508th and 512th OFDM sampling points in OFDM symbol 3. Therefore, the positions of the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 1, the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 2, the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 3, and the preprocessed first signal corresponding to terminal 4 do not overlap.

Optionally, the preprocessing involved in the embodiments of this application can be replaced with terms such as upsampling processing or first processing, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this.

Optionally, all indications involved in the embodiments of this application can be replaced with words such as characterization or representation, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this.

S802: Each of the multiple terminals sends a corresponding second signal. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second signal from each terminal.

The second signal from the first terminal is determined by preprocessing the first signal from the first terminal based on the first information corresponding to the first terminal.

In this embodiment, the network device can send first information corresponding to each of at least one terminal to inform each terminal of the information required for preprocessing the first signal, and receive a second signal from each terminal, wherein the second signal is determined based on the first information after preprocessing the first signal. Since the first time domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal include the same time domain resources, and the positions of the second time domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signals corresponding to each terminal in at least one terminal are different, the second signals from different terminals in at least one terminal can be transmitted on the same time domain resources, but the positions of the second time domain resources of the modulation symbols in the second signals of different terminals do not conflict. In this way, the network device can normally parse the modulation symbols of each terminal, and thus can normally obtain the data from the transmitting end, without having the second signals of different terminals occupy different first time domain resources, thereby achieving the effect of reducing time domain resource occupation.

The implementation process of S801 described above will be explained in detail below.

In one possible implementation, the above-described S801 process can be as follows: the network device can directly send corresponding first information to each of the at least one terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal can directly receive the first information corresponding to that first terminal from the network device.

In another possible implementation, the above-described S801 process can be as follows: the network device can send first information corresponding to each of at least one terminal to the relay terminal. Correspondingly, the relay terminal receives the first information corresponding to each of the at least one terminal from the network device. The relay terminal sends the corresponding first information to each of the at least one terminal respectively. Correspondingly, the first terminal can directly receive the first information corresponding to itself from the relay terminal.

In another possible implementation, taking the network device in this embodiment as the O-CU, the implementation process of S801 can be as follows: the O-CU sends first information to the O-DU, and correspondingly, the O-DU receives the first information from the O-CU. The O-DU sends corresponding first information to each of the at least one terminal, and correspondingly, the first terminal receives the first information corresponding to that first terminal from the O-DU.

In another possible implementation, taking the network device in this embodiment as the CU mentioned above as an example, the implementation process of S801 can be as follows: the CU sends first information to the DU, and correspondingly, the DU receives the first information from the CU. The DU sends corresponding first information to each of the at least one terminal, and correspondingly, the first terminal receives the first information corresponding to that first terminal from the DU.

Of course, the above is merely an exemplary description of the implementation process of S801. The network device and the terminal can also transmit the first information through other devices or other means, and this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

Alternatively, the aforementioned first information may be transmitted to the terminal by the network device via RRC, MAC-carrier equipment (CE), or DCI, etc., and this application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

It is understandable that the relevant description of the implementation process of S802 can be understood by referring to the relevant description of the implementation process of S801 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

The first and second time-domain resources described above are illustrated below.

In one example, the first time-domain resource involved in the embodiments of this application can be an OFDM symbol. In this case, since the first time-domain resource includes at least one second time-domain resource, the second time-domain resource can be a sampling point of the OFDM symbol. The sampling point of the OFDM symbol can be understood as a finer-grained division of the OFDM symbol to obtain at least one OFDM symbol sampling point.

In another example, the first time-domain resource involved in the embodiments of this application can be an OFDM symbol. In this case, since the first time-domain resource includes at least one second time-domain resource, the second time-domain resource can be a sampling point of the OFDM symbol. The sampling point of the OFDM symbol can be understood as a finer-grained division of the OFDM symbol to obtain at least one OFDM symbol sampling point.

In another example, the first time-domain resource involved in the embodiments of this application can be an OFDM symbol. In this case, since the first time-domain resource includes at least one second time-domain resource, the second time-domain resource can be a sampling point of the OFDM symbol. The sampling point of the OFDM symbol can be understood as a finer-grained division of the OFDM symbol to obtain at least one OFDM symbol sampling point.

Of course, the above is merely an exemplary description of the first and second time-domain resources. The first and second time-domain resources can also be other time-domain resources, and this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on them.

The first piece of information will be explained in detail below.

Optionally, the first information includes at least one of the following: upsampling location, upsampling factor, or number of sampling points.

The upsampling position is the position of the padding symbol inserted in the first signal.

For example, the padding symbols involved in the embodiments of this application may include: zero symbols and/or any modulation symbols in the first signal. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the padding symbols, and the padding symbols may also include other symbols, which are not limited in this embodiment of the application.

It is understandable that the network device can specify at least one of the following through the first information: the upsampling position, the upsampling factor, or the number of sampling points. In this way, the terminal can clearly know the information required to preprocess the first signal, and thus the terminal can better preprocess the first signal based on the aforementioned first information to determine the second signal.

Furthermore, the upsampling positions (i.e., the upsampling positions corresponding to the preprocessing) included in the first information above will be described in detail below.

Optionally, the upsampling position corresponding to the preprocessing includes the number of interstitial padding symbols and/or a bitmap.

The number of interstitial padding symbols refers to the number of padding symbols between every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal. The number of interstitial padding symbols is determined based on the upsampling factor and/or the number of at least one terminal.

It is understood that the number of intervening padding symbols can be interpreted as the number of padding symbols added between any two adjacent modulation symbols. For example, assuming the first signal includes 5 modulation symbols and the number of intervening padding symbols is 3, the terminal can add 3 padding symbols between the 1st and 2nd modulation symbols, 3 padding symbols between the 2nd and 3rd modulation symbols, 3 padding symbols between the 3rd and 4th modulation symbols, and 3 padding symbols between the 4th and 5th modulation symbols. Of course, the above is merely an exemplary illustration of the number of intervening padding symbols; the number of intervening padding symbols can also be other values, and this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

Furthermore, optionally, the number of interstitial padding symbols can be the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the upsampling factor, or the number of interstitial padding symbols can be the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of at least one terminal. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the method for determining the number of interstitial padding symbols. The network device can also determine the number of interstitial padding symbols based on other information or other methods, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations on this.

As an example, taking the above-mentioned at least one terminal including terminal 1 and terminal 2 as an example, the number of spacing padding symbols corresponding to terminal 1 and the number of spacing padding symbols corresponding to terminal 2 can both be 2, and the bit map corresponding to terminal 1 can be {10}, and the bit map corresponding to terminal 2 can be {01}.

In addition, optionally, the "0" in the bit diagram described in the embodiments of this application can be used to indicate the location of the padding symbol, and the "1" in the bit diagram can be used to indicate the location of the modulation symbol; or, the "1" in the bit diagram described in the embodiments of this application can be used to indicate the location of the padding symbol, and the "0" in the bit diagram can be used to indicate the location of the modulation symbol. The embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this.

Another example is given, taking at least one terminal including terminal 1 and terminal 2 as an example: the number of spacing padding symbols corresponding to terminal 1 and terminal 2 can both be 4, and the bit map corresponding to terminal 1 can be {1000}, and the bit map corresponding to terminal 2 can be {0101}.

Another example, taking at least one terminal including terminal 1 and terminal 2 as an example: the number of spacing padding symbols corresponding to terminal 1 can be 4, and the number of spacing padding symbols corresponding to terminal 2 can be 2. The bitmap corresponding to terminal 1 can be {1000}, and the bitmap corresponding to terminal 2 can be {01}.

Another example, taking at least one terminal including terminal 1, terminal 2, terminal 3, and terminal 4 as an example, can be illustrated as follows: the number of spacing padding symbols corresponding to terminal 1, terminal 2, terminal 3, and terminal 4 can all be 4. The bitmap corresponding to terminal 1 can be {1000}, the bitmap corresponding to terminal 2 can be {0100}, the bitmap corresponding to terminal 3 can be {0010}, and the bitmap corresponding to terminal 4 can be {0001}.

Of course, the above is merely an exemplary description of the number of spacing padding symbols. The number of spacing padding symbols can also be other values, and this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this. The above is merely an exemplary description of the bitmap. The bitmap can also be other bitmaps, and this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

Understandably, network devices can specify the upsampling position corresponding to preprocessing by using the number of symbols and/or bitmaps to fill in the gaps. This allows the terminal to clearly know the upsampling position corresponding to preprocessing, so that the terminal can better preprocess the first signal based on the upsampling position corresponding to preprocessing to determine the second signal.

Furthermore, the number of sampling points included in the first information above (i.e., the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing) will be explained in detail below.

Optionally, the network device can determine the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing in the following two ways: Method 1 is that the network device calculates the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing based on parameters related to time-frequency domain resources; Method 2 is that the network device determines the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing based on the correspondence between parameters related to the number of time-frequency domain resources and the number of at least one sampling point.

Method 1 involves the network device calculating the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing based on parameters related to time-frequency domain resources.

Optionally, in method 1 above, the network device may acquire at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal, and determine the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing based on at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal. That is, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is determined based on at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal.

Among them, the number of first frequency domain resources is the largest number of frequency domain resources among the number of first signals from at least one terminal.

Furthermore, optionally, the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing can satisfy the following formula 2:

Where N _FFT represents the number of sampling points corresponding to the preprocessing. M represents the number of at least one terminal. This represents the number of resources in the first frequency domain. The number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal.

As an example, as shown in Table 2 below, assuming the number of at least one terminal is 2, the number of first frequency domain resources is 16, and the number of resource units included in a single resource block of the first signal configuration from the first terminal is 12, then the number of sampling points corresponding to the preprocessing determined by Formula 2 above can be 512. Furthermore, in general, the above number of sampling points can be a power of 2.

Another example is shown in Table 2 below. Assuming that the number of at least one terminal is 4, the number of first frequency domain resources is 16, and the number of resource units included in a single resource block of the first signal configuration from the first terminal is 12, then the number of sampling points corresponding to the preprocessing determined by the above formula 2 can be 1024.

Table 2

Method 2 involves determining the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing based on the correspondence between parameters related to the number of time-frequency domain resources and the number of at least one sampling point.

Optionally, in method 2 above, the network device can establish a correspondence between a first quantity and the number of sampling points, or a correspondence between the first quantity and the number of sampling points, and determine the number of sampling points corresponding to the preprocessing based on the correspondence between the first quantity and the number of sampling points. That is, the number of sampling points corresponding to the preprocessing corresponds to the first quantity, where the first quantity is the number of identical time-domain resources, or the first quantity is the number of identical frequency-domain resources included in the frequency-domain resources of first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal.

One example is illustrated by taking the number of time-domain resources as the first quantity: assuming that the number of at least one sampling point predetermined by the network device may include at least one of the following: 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, or 1024. In this case, the correspondence between the first quantity and the number of sampling points can be as follows: when the first quantity is any value from 1 to 4, the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing is 128; when the first quantity is any value from 5 to 8, the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing is 256; when the first quantity is any value from 9 to 12, the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing is 512; when the first quantity is any value from 13 to 16, the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing is 1024.

For example, when the first quantity is the same number of time-domain resources, the first quantity can be determined at the granularity of OFDM symbols or at the granularity of time slots. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the first quantity, and the first quantity can also be determined at other granularities. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

Another example is given, taking the first quantity as the number of frequency domain resources including the same frequency domain resources in the frequency domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal: Assume that the number of at least one sampling point predetermined by the network device may include at least one of the following: 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, or 1024. In this case, the correspondence between the second quantity and the number of sampling points can be as follows: When the first quantity is any value from 4 to 8, the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing is 256; when the first quantity is any value from 9 to 14, the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing is 512.

For example, when the first quantity is the number of identical frequency domain resources included in the frequency domain resources of first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal, the first quantity can be determined at the granularity of RB or RE. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the first quantity, and the first quantity can also be determined at other granularities, which is not limited in this application embodiment.

Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the correspondence between the first quantity and the number of sampling points. The correspondence between the first quantity and the number of sampling points can also be other correspondences, and this application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the method for determining the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing. The network device may also determine the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing based on other information or other methods. This application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

It is understood that the embodiments of this application provide two methods for determining the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing. One method is to determine the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing based on the correspondence between the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing and a first quantity. This method can quickly and easily determine the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing, so that the terminal can quickly preprocess the first signal based on the upsampling position corresponding to preprocessing to determine the second signal. The other method is to determine the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing based on at least one of the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal. In other words, the terminal can more accurately determine the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing based on at least one of the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal. This can improve the accuracy of the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing, thereby enabling more accurate preprocessing of the first signal based on the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing to determine a more accurate second signal.

As described above regarding the "second signal," the second signal is determined by preprocessing the first signal based on the first information corresponding to the terminal. This necessitates that the terminal also pre-determine the first signal. To enable the terminal to pre-determine the first signal, the network device needs to inform the terminal of the information required to determine the first signal. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10, the communication method provided in this embodiment may further include the following steps.

S1001, the network device sends second information corresponding to each of at least one terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the second information corresponding to the first terminal.

The second information is used to indicate the information required to determine the first signal.

It is understandable that network devices can use the second information to inform each terminal of the information required to determine the corresponding first signal, so that the first signal can be determined based on the second information, thus providing a data basis for determining the second signal.

Alternatively, the aforementioned second information can be transmitted to the terminal by the network device via RRC, MAC-CE, or DCI, etc., and this application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

It is understandable that the relevant description of the implementation process of S1001 can be understood by referring to the relevant description of the implementation process of S801 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

The second piece of information will be explained in detail below.

Optionally, the second information includes at least one of the following: time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, signal format, or signal waveform.

It is understandable that network devices can use the second information to specifically indicate at least one of time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, signal format, or signal waveform. In this way, the terminal can clearly know the information required to determine the first signal, and thus the terminal can better determine the first signal based on the aforementioned second information, providing a data basis for the subsequent determination of the second signal.

Furthermore, optionally, the aforementioned time-domain resource information may include at least one of the following: system frame number, time slot offset, start position of OFDM symbol, or number of OFDM symbols. Of course, the above is merely an exemplary description of the aforementioned time-domain resource information, and the aforementioned time-domain resource information may also include other information; this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

For example, Figure 11 is an example diagram of the aforementioned time-domain resources. As shown in Figure 11, assuming the system frame number can be 1, the time slot offset can be 2, the starting position of the OFDM symbol is 2, and the number of OFDM symbols is 12, then the aforementioned time-domain resources can be OFDM symbols 2 to 13 in time slot 2 of frame 1. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the aforementioned time-domain resource information, and the aforementioned time-domain resource information can also be other values. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

Furthermore, optionally, the aforementioned frequency domain resource information may include at least one of the following: the number of RBs, bandwidth, serving cell ID, or center frequency. Of course, the above is merely an exemplary description of the aforementioned frequency domain resource information, and the aforementioned frequency domain resource information may also include other information; this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

Furthermore, optionally, the signal format is either a first format or a second format.

The second format indicates a smaller number of time-domain resources than the first format. The second format indicates a larger number of frequency-domain resources than the first format.

It is understood that the embodiments of this application provide two signal formats to improve the application scope of the signal format of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application.

As described above regarding "long format," a long format refers to a format whose UCI typically occupies 4 to 14 OFDM symbols, or a format whose UCI typically occupies 1 to 16 RBs. Therefore, the first format described in this application embodiment can be understood as the aforementioned long format. Of course, the first format described in this application embodiment can also be understood as other information formats or other formats, and this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

For example, the number of time-domain resources indicated by the second format can be 2 to 7 OFDM symbols. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the number of time-domain resources indicated by the second format, and the number of time-domain resources indicated by the second format can also be other values, which are not limited in this application embodiment.

The number of frequency domain resources indicated by the second format can be from 2 to 32 RBs. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the number of frequency domain resources indicated by the second format, and the number of frequency domain resources indicated by the second format can also be other values, which are not limited in this application embodiment.

Furthermore, optionally, the above is merely a limitation on the number of time-domain resources and frequency-domain resources indicated by the second format. However, embodiments of this application may also limit the modulation scheme corresponding to the second format; for example, the network device may determine the modulation scheme corresponding to the second format as pi/2BPSK. Of course, the above is merely an exemplary description of the modulation scheme corresponding to the second format, and the modulation scheme corresponding to the second format may also be other modulation schemes, which are not limited in this application.

As described above regarding the "second format," the second format indicates a smaller amount of time-domain resources than the first format. When the signal format is the second format, the terminal can directly send its first signal without preprocessing it based on the corresponding first information. Because the second format indicates a shorter amount of time-domain resources, even if at least one terminal is performing time-division transmission normally in this case, the occupation of time-domain resources can be reduced to some extent. Furthermore, in this case, the network device can also send the first information to the terminal to save communication overhead.

For example, Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the time-frequency domain resource distribution of the second signal from each of at least one terminal in the case of the second format. As shown in Figure 12, assuming that the number of time-domain resources indicated by the second format is 7, and at least one terminal includes terminal 1 and terminal 2, then the second signal from terminal 1 can be transmitted simultaneously using OFDM symbols 0 to 6, and the second signal from terminal 2 can be transmitted simultaneously using OFDM symbols 7 to 13.

However, when the signal format is the second format, the terminal can also preprocess the first signal based on the first information corresponding to the terminal to determine the second signal of the terminal and send the determined second signal of the terminal. Since the second format indicates a shorter amount of time-domain resources, at least one terminal can transmit the second signal corresponding to each of the at least one terminal on the shorter time-domain resources. That is, on the limited time-domain resources, the positions of the second time-domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to each of the at least one terminal are different. In this way, the network device can normally parse the modulation symbols of each terminal transmitted on the limited time-domain resources, and thus can normally obtain the data from the transmitting end without having the second signals of different terminals occupy different first time-domain resources, thereby further reducing the time-domain resource occupation.

For example, Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the time-frequency domain resource distribution of the second signal from each of at least one terminal in the case of the second format. As shown in Figure 13, assuming that the number of time-domain resources indicated by the second format is 7, and at least one terminal includes terminal 1 and terminal 2, the second signal from terminal 1 and the second signal from terminal 2 can be transmitted simultaneously using OFDM symbols 0 to 6. However, the positions of the OFDM symbol sampling points occupied by the modulation symbols in the second signal from terminal 1 and the positions of the OFDM symbol sampling points occupied by the modulation symbols in the second signal from terminal 2 are different.

Furthermore, optionally, the signal formats of the first signal or the second signal from each of the at least one terminal can be the same or different. However, generally, if the signal formats of the first signal or the second signal from each of the at least one terminal are different, then the signal format of the first signal or the second signal from any of the at least one terminal is not the second format. Of course, the above is merely an illustrative example, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations on this.

Furthermore, optionally, the signal waveform can be any of the following: CP-OFDM, DFT-s-OFDM, or filter SC-QAM.

Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the signal waveform, and the above signal waveform may also include other waveforms. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

It is understood that the embodiments of this application provide three types of signal waveforms to improve the application range of the signal waveforms of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application.

As described above regarding "S1001", the network device sends second information corresponding to each of at least one terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the second information corresponding to itself, enabling it to obtain the information needed to determine the first signal from itself. Further, optionally, after S1001, the first terminal can determine the first signal from itself based on the second information corresponding to itself, and preprocess the first signal based on the first information to determine the second signal.

As described above regarding "filter SC-QAM," the generation of a filter SC-QAM waveform can involve various processing operations: channel coding, symbol modulation, CP addition, upsampling, filtering, and downsampling. Therefore, when the signal waveform is a filter SC-QAM waveform, the first terminal can determine that the implementation process of the second signal from the first terminal can include the following various processing operations: channel coding, symbol modulation, CP addition, upsampling, filtering, and downsampling.

It should be noted that the aforementioned upsampling refers to the preprocessing involved in the communication processing method provided in the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the relevant descriptions of the preprocessing involved in the communication processing method provided in the embodiments of this application can be understood by referring to the descriptions in the corresponding positions above, and will not be repeated here. Regarding other processing operations, such as channel coding, symbol modulation, CP addition, filtering, and downsampling, the relevant descriptions can be understood by referring to the descriptions in the corresponding positions above, and will not be repeated here either.

However, when the signal waveform is a DFT-s-OFDM waveform, the first terminal can determine that the implementation process of the second signal from the first terminal may include various processes such as symbol modulation, DFT processing, resource mapping processing, IFFT processing, and preprocessing. Furthermore, the relevant descriptions of the preprocessing involved in the communication processing method provided in the embodiments of this application can be understood by referring to the descriptions in the corresponding positions above, and will not be repeated here.

As described above regarding "S802", each of the multiple terminals sends a corresponding second signal. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second signal from each terminal. Further, optionally, after S802, the network device can downsample the second signal from each terminal to determine the first signal from each terminal, and process the first signal from each terminal to obtain the data transmitted by each terminal.

Optionally, the parameters related to the downsampling processing described above can be set with reference to the information included in the first information. Further, taking the downsampling factor as an example: Optionally, the network device sets the downsampling factor corresponding to the first terminal to the upsampling factor corresponding to the first terminal. For example, if the upsampling device corresponding to the first terminal is 4, the network device can also set the downsampling factor corresponding to the first terminal to 4; or, for example, if the upsampling device corresponding to the first terminal is 2, the network device can also set the downsampling factor corresponding to the first terminal to 2. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

Optionally, when the signal waveform is a DFT-s-OFDM waveform, the network device's processing of the first signal from each terminal can include the following processes: CP removal, FFT processing, channel estimation, equalization, IDFT, and decoding. Furthermore, descriptions of CP removal, FFT, channel estimation, equalization, IDFT, and decoding can be found in general technical documentation and will not be repeated here.

Optionally, when the signal format is the second format described above, the signal waveform can be a DFT-s-OFDM waveform or a filtered SC-QAM waveform. It is understood that because the second format indicates a smaller amount of time-domain resources, the coverage capability of signals transmitted based on the second format will be reduced accordingly. To maximize the coverage capability of signals transmitted based on the second format, and to make it comparable to the coverage capability of signals transmitted based on other formats, the network device can set the signal waveform to a waveform with higher coverage capability, such as a DFT-s-OFDM waveform or a filtered SC-QAM waveform, to maximize the coverage capability of signals transmitted based on the second format.

As mentioned earlier regarding the "second signal," the second signal is determined by preprocessing the first signal based on the first information corresponding to the terminal. However, before the terminal preprocesses the first signal, it can perform symbol expansion processing on the first signal. Figure 14 illustrates two methods of symbol expansion processing. Further, optionally, as shown in Figure 14(a), the terminal can add zero symbols to both ends of the first signal until the number of symbols in the first signal after symbol expansion processing reaches the upsampling requirement; alternatively, as shown in Figure 14(b), the terminal can add arbitrary modulation symbols from the original first signal to both ends of the first signal until the number of symbols in the first signal after symbol expansion processing reaches the upsampling requirement.

Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the symbol extension processing method. The symbol extension processing method described in the embodiments of this application can also be other methods, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on them.

Alternatively, the number of symbols of the first signal that meets the upsampling requirement after the above symbol expansion processing and/or the number of symbols to be added in the above symbol expansion processing can be determined based on at least one of the following: the number of frequency domain resources of the first signal, the number of sampling points corresponding to the first signal, the upsampling factor corresponding to the first signal, and the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal.

For example, assuming the first signal has 16 frequency domain resources, the number of resource units in a single resource block configured for the first signal is 12, the number of sampling points corresponding to the first signal is 512, and the upsampling factor corresponding to the first signal is 2, then the number of symbols of the first signal that meets the upsampling requirements after the above symbol expansion processing can be 256. Since the number of modulation symbols in the first signal is 192 (i.e., 16 × 12), the number of symbols to be added in the above symbol expansion processing can be 64.

It is understandable that the above symbol processing operation can be performed even if the number of symbols in the first signal does not meet the upsampling requirement. Therefore, the above symbol processing operation is an optional processing operation.

Figure 15 is another example of the communication method provided in this application embodiment. The above method can be described using the interaction between a terminal and a network device as an example. Of course, the subject executing the terminal action in this method can also be a device/module in the terminal, such as a chip, processor, processing unit, etc. in the terminal; similarly, the subject executing the network device action in this method can also be a device/module in the network device, such as a chip, processor, processing unit, etc. in the network device. This application embodiment does not specifically limit this. For example, as shown in Figure 15, the communication method includes the following steps:

S1501, the network device sends first information corresponding to each of at least one terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the first information corresponding to itself.

The first information includes at least one of the following: upsampling position, upsampling factor, or number of sampling points. The upsampling position is the location of the padding symbol inserted in the first signal.

It is understandable that the relevant description of the implementation process of S1501 can be understood by referring to the relevant description of the implementation process of S801 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

S1502, Each of the multiple terminals sends a corresponding second signal. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second signal from each terminal.

The second signal from the first terminal is determined by preprocessing the first signal from the first terminal based on the first information corresponding to the first terminal.

It is understandable that the relevant description of the implementation process of S1502 can be understood by referring to the relevant description of the implementation process of S801 and/or S802 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

In this embodiment, the network device can send first information corresponding to each of at least one terminal to inform it of preprocessing-related information, such as at least one of the following: upsampling position, upsampling factor, or number of sampling points. It also receives a second signal from each terminal, whereby the second signal is determined by preprocessing the first signal based on the first information. Because the network device assigns corresponding preprocessing-related information to each terminal, each terminal can perform adaptive preprocessing based on its corresponding signal. Therefore, the preprocessed second signal from each terminal can better meet its own preprocessing needs, avoiding signal conflicts caused by a fixed and singular preprocessing method. This allows the network device to correctly parse the modulation symbols of each terminal, thereby enabling it to correctly acquire data from the transmitting end while reducing time-domain resource consumption.

Furthermore, the upsampling positions (i.e., the upsampling positions corresponding to the preprocessing) included in the first information above will be described in detail below.

Optionally, the upsampling position corresponding to the preprocessing includes the number of interleaved padding symbols and/or the bitmap.

The number of interstitial padding symbols refers to the number of padding symbols between every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal. The number of interstitial padding symbols is determined based on the upsampling factor and/or the number of at least one terminal.

It is understood that the descriptions of the upsampling position, the number of interleaving symbols, and the bitmap corresponding to the above preprocessing can be understood by referring to the descriptions of the upsampling position, the number of interleaving symbols, and the bitmap corresponding to the above preprocessing, and will not be repeated here.

Furthermore, the number of sampling points included in the first information above (i.e., the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing) will be explained in detail below.

Optionally, the network device can determine the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing in the following two ways: Method 1 is to calculate the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing based on parameters related to time-frequency domain resources; Method 2 is to determine the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing based on the correspondence between parameters related to the number of time-frequency domain resources and the number of at least one sampling point.

Method 1 calculates the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing based on parameters related to time-frequency domain resources.

Optionally, in method 1 above, the network device may acquire at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal, and determine the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing based on at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal. That is, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is determined based on at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal.

Method 2 determines the number of sampling points corresponding to the above preprocessing based on the correspondence between parameters related to the number of time-frequency domain resources and the number of at least one sampling point.

Optionally, in method 2 above, the network device can establish a correspondence between a first quantity and the number of sampling points, or a correspondence between the first quantity and the number of sampling points, and determine the number of sampling points corresponding to the preprocessing based on the correspondence between the first quantity and the number of sampling points. That is, the number of sampling points corresponding to the preprocessing corresponds to the first quantity, where the first quantity is the number of identical time-domain resources, or the first quantity is the number of identical frequency-domain resources included in the frequency-domain resources of first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal.

It is understood that the descriptions of the number of sampling points, method 1, and method 2 corresponding to the above preprocessing can be understood by referring to the descriptions of the number of sampling points, method 1, and method 2 corresponding to the above preprocessing, and will not be repeated here.

As described above regarding the "second signal," the second signal is determined by preprocessing the first signal based on the first information corresponding to the terminal. This necessitates that the terminal also pre-determine the first signal. To enable the terminal to pre-determine the first signal, the network device needs to inform the terminal of the information required to determine the first signal. Therefore, as shown in Figure 16, the communication method provided in this embodiment may further include the following steps.

S1601, the network device sends second information corresponding to each of at least one terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the second information corresponding to itself.

The second information is used to indicate the information required to determine the first signal.

It is understandable that the description of the implementation process of S1601 can be understood by referring to the description of the implementation process of S801 above, and will not be repeated here.

The second piece of information will be explained in detail below.

Optionally, the second information includes at least one of the following: time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, signal format, or signal waveform.

It is understood that the relevant description of the second information involved in this embodiment can be understood by referring to the relevant description of the second information above, and will not be repeated here.

Furthermore, optionally, the signal format is either a first format or a second format.

The second format indicates a smaller number of time-domain resources than the first format. The second format indicates a larger number of frequency-domain resources than the first format.

It is understood that the relevant descriptions of the first and second formats involved in this embodiment can be understood by referring to the relevant descriptions of the first and second formats above, and will not be repeated here.

Furthermore, optionally, the signal waveform can be any of the following: CP-OFDM, DFT-s-OFDM, or filter SC-QAM.

It is understood that the relevant description of the signal waveform involved in this embodiment can be understood by referring to the relevant description of the signal waveform above, and will not be repeated here.

The above mainly describes the solutions provided by the embodiments of this application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Correspondingly, the embodiments of this application also provide a communication device for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device can be a network device in the above method embodiments, or a device containing the above network device, or a component usable in a network device; or, the communication device can be a terminal in the above method embodiments, or a device containing the above terminal, or a component usable in a terminal. It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and/or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, in conjunction with the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be understood that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and represents a logical functional division; in actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

Figure 17 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device 170. The communication device 170 includes a processing module 1701 and a transceiver module 1702. The transceiver module 1702, also known as a transceiver unit, is used to implement transceiver functions, and may be, for example, a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver device, or a communication interface.

When the communication device 170 shown in Figure 17 is the network device in the above embodiment:

In one possible implementation: processing module 1701 is used to instruct transceiver module 1702 to send first information corresponding to each of at least one terminal and receive second signals from each terminal, wherein the first information is used to indicate information required for preprocessing the first signal; and the first time domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal include the same time domain resources, and the positions of the second time domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signals corresponding to each terminal in at least one terminal are different, and the first time domain resources include at least one second time domain resource; the second signal from the first terminal is determined by preprocessing the first signal from the first terminal based on the first information corresponding to the first terminal, and the first terminal is any one of the at least one terminals.

For example, preprocessing can be upsampling. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of preprocessing, and the preprocessing can also be other processes, which are not limited in this application embodiment.

For example, the first time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the first time-domain resource, and the first time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

For example, the second time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol sampling point. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the second time-domain resource, and the second time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

In one possible implementation, the first information includes at least one of the following: upsampling position, upsampling factor, or number of sampling points; the upsampling position is the position of the padding symbol inserted in the first signal.

In one possible implementation, the upsampling position corresponding to the preprocessing includes the number of inter-space padding symbols and/or a bitmap; wherein, the number of inter-space padding symbols is the number of padding symbols between every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal, and the number of inter-space padding symbols is determined based on the upsampling factor and/or the number of at least one terminal.

In one possible implementation, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is determined based on at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal; wherein the number of first frequency domain resources is the largest number of frequency domain resources among the number of frequency domain resources of the first signal from at least one terminal; or, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is related to the first number, wherein the first number is the number of the same time domain resources, or the first number is the number of the same frequency domain resources included in the frequency domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal.

In one possible implementation, the processing module 1701 is further configured to instruct the transceiver module 1702 to send second information corresponding to each terminal, the second information being used to indicate the information required to determine the first signal.

In one possible implementation, the second information includes at least one of the following: time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, signal format, or signal waveform.

In one possible implementation, the signal format is either a first format or a second format, wherein the second format indicates a smaller number of time-domain resources than the first format, and the second format indicates a larger number of frequency-domain resources than the first format.

In one possible implementation, the signal waveform can be any of the following: Cyclic Prefix Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (CP-OFDM), Spread Spectrum Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) based on Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT-s-OFDM), or Filter-User Carrier Orthogonal Amplitude Modulation (filter-SC-QAM).

All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

In this embodiment, the terminal is presented as an integrated unit divided into functional modules. Here, "module" can refer to a specific ASIC, circuitry, a processor and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and/or other devices that can provide the aforementioned functions. In a simplified embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the terminal can take the form of the communication device 710 shown in FIG. 7.

For example, the processor 711 in the communication device 710 shown in FIG7 can call the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 712 to cause the communication device 710 to execute the communication method in the above method embodiment.

Specifically, the functions/implementation processes of the transceiver module 1702 and the processing module 1701 in Figure 17 can be implemented by the processor 711 in the communication device 710 shown in Figure 7 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 712. Alternatively, the functions/implementation processes of the processing module 1701 in Figure 17 can be implemented by the processor 711 in the communication device 710 shown in Figure 7 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 712, and the functions/implementation processes of the transceiver module 1702 in Figure 17 can be implemented by the transceiver 715 in the communication device 710 shown in Figure 7.

Since the communication device 170 provided in this application embodiment can execute the above communication method, the technical effects it can obtain can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

When the communication device 170 shown in Figure 17 is the terminal in the above embodiment:

In one possible implementation: processing module 1701 is used to instruct transceiver module 1702 to receive first information corresponding to the first terminal and send a second signal from the first terminal, wherein the first information is used to indicate information required for preprocessing the first signal; and the first terminal is any one of at least one terminal; the first time domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal include the same time domain resources, and the positions of the second time domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signals corresponding to each terminal in at least one terminal are different, and the first time domain resources include at least one second time domain resource; wherein the second signal of the first terminal is determined by preprocessing the first signal from the first terminal based on the first information corresponding to the first terminal.

For example, preprocessing can be upsampling. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of preprocessing, and the preprocessing can also be other processes, which are not limited in this application embodiment.

For example, the first time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the first time-domain resource, and the first time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

For example, the second time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol sampling point. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the second time-domain resource, and the second time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

In one possible implementation, the first information includes at least one of the following: upsampling position, upsampling factor, or number of sampling points; the upsampling position is the position of the padding symbol inserted in the first signal.

In one possible implementation, the upsampling position corresponding to the preprocessing includes the number of inter-space padding symbols and/or a bitmap; wherein, the number of inter-space padding symbols is the number of padding symbols between every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal, and the number of inter-space padding symbols is determined based on the upsampling factor and/or the number of at least one terminal.

In one possible implementation, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is determined based on at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the second signal from the first terminal; wherein the number of first frequency domain resources is the largest number of frequency domain resources among the number of frequency domain resources of the first signal from at least one terminal; or, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is related to the first number, wherein the first number is the number of the same time domain resources, or the first number is the number of the same frequency domain resources included in the frequency domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal.

In one possible implementation, the processing module 1701 is further configured to instruct the transceiver module 1702 to receive second information corresponding to the first terminal, the second information being used to indicate the information required to determine the first signal.

In one possible implementation, the second information includes at least one of the following: time-domain resource information, frequency-domain resource information, signal format, or signal waveform.

In one possible implementation, the signal format is either a first format or a second format, wherein the second format indicates a smaller number of time-domain resources than the first format, and the second format indicates a larger number of frequency-domain resources than the first format.

In one possible implementation, the signal waveform can be any of the following: Cyclic Prefix Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (CP-OFDM), Spread Spectrum Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) based on Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT-s-OFDM), or Filter-User Carrier Orthogonal Amplitude Modulation (filter-SC-QAM).

All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

In this embodiment, the terminal is presented as an integrated unit divided into functional modules. Here, "module" can refer to a specific ASIC, circuitry, a processor and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and/or other devices that can provide the aforementioned functions. In a simplified embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the terminal can take the form of the communication device 710 shown in FIG. 7.

For example, the processor 711 in the communication device 710 shown in FIG7 can call the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 712 to cause the communication device 710 to execute the communication method in the above method embodiment.

Specifically, the functions/implementation processes of the transceiver module 1702 and the processing module 1701 in Figure 17 can be implemented by the processor 711 in the communication device 710 shown in Figure 7 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 712. Alternatively, the functions/implementation processes of the processing module 1701 in Figure 17 can be implemented by the processor 711 in the communication device 710 shown in Figure 7 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 712, and the functions/implementation processes of the transceiver module 1702 in Figure 17 can be implemented by the transceiver 715 in the communication device 710 shown in Figure 7.

Since the communication device 170 provided in this application embodiment can execute the above communication method, the technical effects it can obtain can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

When the communication device 170 shown in Figure 17 is the network device in the above embodiment:

In one possible implementation: the processing module 1701 is used to instruct the transceiver module 1702 to send first information corresponding to each of at least one terminal and receive a second signal from each terminal, wherein the first information includes at least one of the following: upsampling position, upsampling multiple, or number of sampling points; and the upsampling position is the position of the padding symbol inserted in the first signal; wherein the second signal from the first terminal is determined by preprocessing the first signal from the first terminal based on the first information corresponding to the first terminal, and the first terminal is any one of the at least one terminals.

For example, preprocessing can be upsampling. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of preprocessing, and the preprocessing can also be other processes, which are not limited in this application embodiment.

For example, the first time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the first time-domain resource, and the first time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

For example, the second time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol sampling point. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the second time-domain resource, and the second time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

In one possible implementation, the upsampling position corresponding to the preprocessing includes the number of inter-space padding symbols and/or a bitmap; wherein, the number of inter-space padding symbols is the number of padding symbols between every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal, and the number of inter-space padding symbols is determined based on the upsampling factor and/or the number of at least one terminal.

In one possible implementation, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is determined based on at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal; wherein the number of first frequency domain resources is the largest number of frequency domain resources among the number of frequency domain resources of the first signal from at least one terminal; or, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is related to the first number, wherein the first number is the number of the same time domain resources, or the first number is the number of the same frequency domain resources included in the frequency domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal.

In one possible implementation, the processing module 1701 is further configured to instruct the transceiver module 1702 to send second information corresponding to each terminal, the second information being used to indicate the information required to determine the first signal.

In one possible implementation, the second information includes at least one of the following: time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, signal format, or signal waveform.

In one possible implementation, the signal format is either a first format or a second format, wherein the second format indicates a smaller number of time-domain resources than the first format, and the second format indicates a larger number of frequency-domain resources than the first format.

In one possible implementation, the signal waveform can be any of the following: Cyclic Prefix Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (CP-OFDM), Spread Spectrum Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) based on Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT-s-OFDM), or Filter-User Carrier Orthogonal Amplitude Modulation (filter-SC-QAM).

All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

In this embodiment, the network device is presented as an integrated unit divided into functional modules. Here, "module" can refer to a specific ASIC, circuitry, a processor and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and/or other devices that can provide the aforementioned functions. In a simplified embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the network device can take the form of the communication device 710 shown in FIG. 7.

For example, the processor 711 in the communication device 710 shown in FIG7 can call the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 712 to cause the communication device 710 to execute the communication method in the above method embodiment.

Specifically, the functions/implementation processes of the transceiver module 1702 and the processing module 1701 in Figure 17 can be implemented by the processor 711 in the communication device 710 shown in Figure 7 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 712. Alternatively, the functions/implementation processes of the processing module 1701 in Figure 17 can be implemented by the processor 711 in the communication device 710 shown in Figure 7 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 712, and the functions/implementation processes of the transceiver module 1702 in Figure 17 can be implemented by the transceiver 715 in the communication device 710 shown in Figure 7.

Since the communication device 170 provided in this application embodiment can execute the above communication method, the technical effects it can obtain can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

When the communication device 170 shown in Figure 17 is the terminal in the above embodiment:

In one possible implementation: the processing module 1701 is used to instruct the transceiver module 1702 to receive the first information corresponding to the first terminal and send the second signal of the first terminal, wherein the first information includes at least one of the following: upsampling position, upsampling multiple, or number of sampling points; wherein the upsampling position is the position of the padding symbol inserted in the first signal; wherein the second signal of the first terminal is determined by preprocessing the first signal from the first terminal based on the first information corresponding to the first terminal.

For example, preprocessing can be upsampling. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of preprocessing, and the preprocessing can also be other processes, which are not limited in this application embodiment.

For example, the first time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the first time-domain resource, and the first time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

For example, the second time-domain resource can be an OFDM symbol sampling point. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the second time-domain resource, and the second time-domain resource can also be other time-domain resources. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

In one possible implementation, the upsampling position corresponding to the preprocessing includes the number of inter-space padding symbols and/or a bitmap; wherein, the number of inter-space padding symbols is the number of padding symbols between every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal, and the number of inter-space padding symbols is determined based on the upsampling factor and/or the number of at least one terminal.

In one possible implementation, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is determined based on at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the second signal from the first terminal; wherein the number of first frequency domain resources is the largest number of frequency domain resources among the number of frequency domain resources of the first signal from at least one terminal; or, the number of sampling points corresponding to preprocessing is related to the first number, wherein the first number is the number of the same time domain resources, or the first number is the number of the same frequency domain resources included in the frequency domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in at least one terminal.

In one possible implementation, the processing module 1701 is further configured to instruct the transceiver module 1702 to receive second information corresponding to the first terminal, the second information being used to indicate the information required to determine the first signal.

In one possible implementation, the second information includes at least one of the following: time-domain resource information, frequency-domain resource information, signal format, or signal waveform.

In one possible implementation, the signal format is either a first format or a second format, wherein the second format indicates a smaller number of time-domain resources than the first format, and the second format indicates a larger number of frequency-domain resources than the first format.

In one possible implementation, the signal waveform can be any of the following: Cyclic Prefix Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (CP-OFDM), Spread Spectrum Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) based on Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT-s-OFDM), or Filter-User Carrier Orthogonal Amplitude Modulation (filter-SC-QAM).

All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

In this embodiment, the network device is presented as an integrated unit divided into functional modules. Here, "module" can refer to a specific ASIC, circuitry, a processor and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and/or other devices that can provide the aforementioned functions. In a simplified embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the network device can take the form of the communication device 710 shown in FIG. 7.

For example, the processor 711 in the communication device 710 shown in FIG7 can call the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 712 to cause the communication device 710 to execute the communication method in the above method embodiment.

Specifically, the functions/implementation processes of the transceiver module 1702 and the processing module 1701 in Figure 17 can be implemented by the processor 711 in the communication device 710 shown in Figure 7 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 712. Alternatively, the functions/implementation processes of the processing module 1701 in Figure 17 can be implemented by the processor 711 in the communication device 710 shown in Figure 7 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 712, and the functions/implementation processes of the transceiver module 1702 in Figure 17 can be implemented by the transceiver 715 in the communication device 710 shown in Figure 7.

Since the communication device 170 provided in this application embodiment can execute the above communication method, the technical effects it can obtain can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

It should be understood that one or more of the above modules or units can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units are implemented by software, the software exists as computer program instructions and is stored in memory. The processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow. The processor can be built into a SoC (System-on-a-Chip) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or it can be a separate semiconductor chip. In addition to the core that executes software instructions for computation or processing, the processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or logic circuits that implement dedicated logic operations.

When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, digital signal processing (DSP) chip, microcontroller unit (MCU), artificial intelligence processor, ASIC, SoC, FPGA, PLD, application-specific digital circuit, hardware accelerator, or non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or perform the above method flow independently of software.

For a more detailed description of the above-mentioned processing module 1701 and transceiver module 1702, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figures 8, 10, 15, and 16.

As shown in Figure 18, this application embodiment provides a communication device 1800, which may include at least one processor 1810 coupled to a memory. Optionally, the memory may be located within or outside the device. For example, the communication device 1800 may also include at least one memory 1820. The memory 1820 stores computer programs, configuration information, computer programs or instructions and/or data necessary for implementing any of the above embodiments; the processor 1810 may execute the computer program stored in the memory 1820 to complete the methods in any of the above embodiments.

The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1810 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1820. This embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver 1830, processor 1810, and memory 1820.

The communication device 1800 may also include a transceiver 1830, through which the communication device 1800 can interact with other devices. The transceiver 1830 can be a circuit, a bus, a transceiver unit, or any other device that can be used for information interaction, also referred to as a signal transceiver unit. As shown in Figure 18, the transceiver 1830 includes a transmitter 1831, a receiver 1832, and an antenna 1833. Optionally, the transceiver 1830 can be used to communicate with network devices. Furthermore, when the communication device 1800 is a chip-type device or circuit, the transceiver in the device 1800 can also be an input/output circuit and/or a communication interface, capable of inputting data (or receiving data) and outputting data (or transmitting data). The processor is an integrated processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit, and the processor can determine the output data based on the input data.

In one possible implementation, the communication device 1800 can be applied to a terminal. Specifically, the communication device 1800 can be a terminal or an apparatus capable of supporting a terminal and implementing the functions of the terminal in any of the above embodiments. The memory 1820 stores the necessary computer programs, computer programs or instructions and/or data for implementing the functions of the terminal in any of the above embodiments. The processor 1810 can execute the computer programs stored in the memory 1820 to complete the methods executed by the terminal in any of the above embodiments. Applied to a terminal, the receiver 1832 in the communication device 1800 can be used to receive transmission control configuration information sent by a network device through an antenna 1833, and the transmitter 1831 can be used to send transmission information to the network device through an antenna 1833.

Since the communication device 1800 provided in this embodiment can be applied to a terminal to complete the method executed by the terminal described above, the technical effects it can achieve can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

As shown in Figure 19, this application embodiment provides a communication device 1900, which may include at least one processor 1910 coupled to a memory. Optionally, the memory may be located within or outside the device. For example, the communication device 1900 may also include at least one memory 1920. The memory 1920 stores computer programs, configuration information, computer programs or instructions and/or data necessary for implementing any of the above embodiments; the processor 1910 may execute the computer program stored in the memory 1920 to complete the methods in any of the above embodiments.

The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. Processor 1910 may operate in conjunction with memory 1920. This embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver 1930, processor 1910, and memory 1920.

The communication device 1900 may also include a transceiver 1930, through which the communication device 1900 can interact with other devices. The transceiver 1930 can be a circuit, a bus, a transceiver unit, or any other device that can be used for information interaction, also referred to as a signal transceiver unit. As shown in Figure 19, the transceiver 1930 includes a transmitter 1931, a receiver 1932, and an antenna 1933. Optionally, the transceiver 1930 can be used to communicate with a terminal. Furthermore, when the communication device 1900 is a chip-type device or circuit, the transceiver in the device 1900 can also be an input/output circuit and/or a communication interface, capable of inputting data (or receiving data) and outputting data (or transmitting data). The processor is an integrated processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit, and the processor can determine the output data based on the input data.

In one possible implementation, the communication device 1900 can be applied to a network device. Specifically, the communication device 1900 can be a network device or an apparatus capable of supporting a network device and implementing the functions of the network device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The memory 1920 stores the necessary computer programs, computer programs or instructions and/or data for implementing the functions of the network device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The processor 1910 can execute the computer program stored in the memory 1920 to complete the method executed by the network device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. Applied to a network device, the transmitter 1931 in the communication device 1900 can be used to send transmission control configuration information to a terminal via antenna 1933, and the receiver 1932 can be used to receive transmission information sent by the terminal via antenna 1933.

Since the communication device 1900 provided in this embodiment can be applied to network devices to complete the method executed by the network device described above, the technical effects it can achieve can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

In one possible implementation, this application embodiment also provides a communication device (e.g., the communication device may be a chip or a chip system), which includes a processor for implementing the methods in any of the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the communication device further includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary program instructions and data, and the processor can call the program code stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to execute the methods in any of the above method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be included in the communication device. When the communication device is a chip system, it may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices; this application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

In one possible implementation, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when run on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the methods of any of the above-described method embodiments or any implementation thereof.

In one possible implementation, this application embodiment also provides a communication method, which includes the method of any of the above-described method embodiments or any implementation thereof.

In one possible implementation, this application embodiment also provides a communication system, which includes the terminal of the above method embodiment and the network device of the above method embodiment.

In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device containing one or more servers, data centers, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)).

Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, disclosure, and appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple instances. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are exemplary illustrations of this application as defined by the appended claims and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Thus, if such modifications and modifications fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims (30)

A communication method, characterized in that the method includes: First information corresponding to each of at least one terminal is transmitted, the first information being used to indicate information required for preprocessing a first signal; wherein, the first time domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in the at least one terminal include the same time domain resources, and the positions of the second time domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to each of the at least one terminal are different, and the first time domain resources include at least one second time domain resource; Receive a second signal from each of the terminals, wherein the second signal from the first terminal is determined by preprocessing the first signal from the first terminal based on the first information corresponding to the first terminal, and the first terminal is any one of the at least one terminals. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first information includes at least one of the following: upsampling position, upsampling factor, or number of sampling points; the upsampling position is the position of the padding symbol inserted in the first signal. According to the method of claim 1 or 2, the upsampling position corresponding to the preprocessing includes the number of inter-space padding symbols and/or a bitmap; wherein the number of inter-space padding symbols is the number of padding symbols between every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal, and the number of inter-space padding symbols is determined based on the upsampling factor and/or the number of at least one terminal. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the number of sampling points corresponding to the preprocessing is determined based on at least one of the number of the at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal; wherein the number of first frequency domain resources is the largest number of frequency domain resources among the number of frequency domain resources of the first signal from the at least one terminal; Alternatively, the number of sampling points corresponding to the preprocessing is related to a first quantity, where the first quantity is the number of identical time-domain resources, or the first quantity is the number of identical frequency-domain resources included in the frequency-domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in the at least one terminal. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the method further comprises: Send second information corresponding to each terminal, the second information being used to indicate the information required to determine the first signal. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second information includes at least one of the following: time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, signal format, or signal waveform. According to the method of claim 6, the signal format is a first format or a second format, wherein the number of time-domain resources indicated by the second format is less than the number of time-domain resources indicated by the first format, and the number of frequency-domain resources indicated by the second format is greater than the number of frequency-domain resources indicated by the first format. According to the method of claim 6 or 7, the signal waveform can be any one of the following: Cyclic Prefix Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (CP-OFDM), Spread Spectrum Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) based on Discrete Fourier Transform, or Filter-User Carrier Orthogonal Amplitude Modulation (filter-SC-QAM). A communication method, characterized in that the method includes: Receive first information corresponding to the first terminal, the first information being used to indicate information required for preprocessing the first signal; wherein, the first terminal is any one of at least one terminal; the first time domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in the at least one terminal include the same time domain resources, and the positions of the second time domain resources of the modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal corresponding to each terminal in the at least one terminal are different, the first time domain resources including at least one second time domain resource; Send a second signal from the first terminal, wherein the second signal from the first terminal is determined by preprocessing the first signal from the first terminal based on the first information corresponding to the first terminal. The method according to claim 9, wherein the first information includes at least one of the following: upsampling position, upsampling factor, or number of sampling points; the upsampling position is the position of the padding symbol inserted in the first signal. According to the method of claim 9 or 10, the upsampling position corresponding to the preprocessing includes the number of inter-space padding symbols and/or a bitmap; wherein the number of inter-space padding symbols is the number of padding symbols between every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal, and the number of inter-space padding symbols is determined based on the upsampling factor and/or the number of at least one terminal. The method according to any one of claims 9-11, wherein the number of sampling points corresponding to the preprocessing is determined based on at least one of the number of the at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the second signal from the first terminal; wherein the number of first frequency domain resources is the largest number of frequency domain resources among the number of frequency domain resources of the first signal from the at least one terminal; Alternatively, the number of sampling points corresponding to the preprocessing is related to a first quantity, where the first quantity is the number of identical time-domain resources, or the first quantity is the number of identical frequency-domain resources included in the frequency-domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in the at least one terminal. The method according to any one of claims 9-12, characterized in that the method further comprises: Receive second information corresponding to the first terminal, the second information being used to indicate the information required to determine the first signal. The method according to claim 13, wherein the second information includes at least one of the following: time-domain resource information, frequency-domain resource information, signal format, or signal waveform. The method according to claim 14 is characterized in that the signal format is a first format or a second format, wherein the number of time-domain resources indicated by the second format is less than the number of time-domain resources indicated by the first format, and the number of frequency-domain resources indicated by the second format is greater than the number of frequency-domain resources indicated by the first format. According to the method of claim 14 or 15, the signal waveform can be any one of the following: Cyclic Prefix Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (CP-OFDM), Spread Spectrum Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) based on Discrete Fourier Transform, or Filter-User Carrier Orthogonal Amplitude Modulation (filter-SC-QAM). A communication method, characterized in that the method includes: Send first information corresponding to each of at least one terminal, the first information including at least one of the following: upsampling position, upsampling factor, or number of sampling points; wherein, the upsampling position is the position of the padding symbol inserted in the first signal; Receive a second signal from each of the terminals, wherein the second signal from the first terminal is determined by preprocessing the first signal from the first terminal based on the first information corresponding to the first terminal, and the first terminal is any one of the at least one terminals. According to the method of claim 17, the upsampling position corresponding to the preprocessing includes the number of inter-space padding symbols and/or a bitmap; wherein the number of inter-space padding symbols is the number of padding symbols between every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal, and the number of inter-space padding symbols is determined based on the upsampling factor and/or the number of at least one terminal. According to the method of claim 17 or 18, the number of sampling points corresponding to the preprocessing is determined based on at least one of the number of the at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the first signal from the first terminal; wherein the number of first frequency domain resources is the largest number of frequency domain resources among the number of frequency domain resources of the first signal from the at least one terminal. Alternatively, the number of sampling points corresponding to the preprocessing is related to a first quantity, where the first quantity is the number of identical time-domain resources, or the first quantity is the number of identical frequency-domain resources included in the frequency-domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in the at least one terminal. The method according to any one of claims 17-19, characterized in that the method further comprises: Send second information corresponding to each terminal, the second information being used to indicate the information required to determine the first signal. The method according to claim 20, wherein the second information includes at least one of the following: time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, signal format, or signal waveform. A communication method, characterized in that the method includes: Receive first information corresponding to the first terminal, the first information including at least one of the following: upsampling position, upsampling factor, or number of sampling points; wherein, the upsampling position is the position of the padding symbol inserted in the first signal; Send a second signal from the first terminal, wherein the second signal from the first terminal is determined by preprocessing the first signal from the first terminal based on the first information corresponding to the first terminal. According to the method of claim 22, the upsampling position corresponding to the preprocessing includes the number of inter-space padding symbols and/or a bitmap; wherein the number of inter-space padding symbols is the number of padding symbols between every two adjacent modulation symbols in the preprocessed first signal, and the number of inter-space padding symbols is determined based on the upsampling factor and/or the number of at least one terminal. The method according to claim 22 or 23 is characterized in that the number of sampling points corresponding to the preprocessing is determined based on at least one of the number of the at least one terminal, the number of first frequency domain resources, or the number of resource units included in a single resource block configured for the second signal from the first terminal; wherein the number of first frequency domain resources is the largest number of frequency domain resources among the number of frequency domain resources of the first signal from the at least one terminal; Alternatively, the number of sampling points corresponding to the preprocessing is related to a first quantity, where the first quantity is the number of identical time-domain resources, or the first quantity is the number of identical frequency-domain resources included in the frequency-domain resources of the first signals from different terminals in the at least one terminal. The method according to any one of claims 22-24, characterized in that the method further comprises: Receive second information corresponding to the first terminal, the second information being used to indicate the information required to determine the first signal. The method according to claim 25, wherein the second information includes at least one of the following: time-domain resource information, frequency-domain resource information, signal format, or signal waveform. A communication device, characterized in that it comprises: a functional unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-8, or a functional unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 9-16, or a functional unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 17-21, or a functional unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 22-26; wherein the actions performed by the functional unit are implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. A communication device, characterized in that the communication device includes a processor; the processor is configured to run a computer program or instructions, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-8, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9-16, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 17-21, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 22-26 via logic circuitry. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs that, when executed on a computer, cause a communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-8, or cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9-16, or cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 17-21, or cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 22-26. A computer program product, characterized in that the computer program product includes computer program instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-8, or cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9-16, or cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 17-21, or cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 22-26.