Patent Description:
In new radio (NR), a carrier may include a plurality of bandwidth parts (BWP). For a terminal, only one uplink BWP can be activated at one moment and used for uplink transmission. Similarly, only one downlink BWP can be activated at one moment and used for downlink transmission. A BWP of the terminal that is currently activated is indicated by using downlink control information (DCI) or the like. The BWP used by the terminal for transmission can be dynamically switched among a plurality of BWPs in a carrier. How to efficiently configure a terminal to perform transmission on different BWPs is a technical problem that needs to be resolved.

The following documents relate to some aspects discussed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP):.

Embodiments of this application provide a parameter configuration method and a related product, to help improve flexibility of configuring a BWP by a PT-RS, as defined in the independent claims.

It may be learned that, in the embodiments of this application, a network device indicates a parameter of a phase tracking reference signal PT-RS to a terminal. The parameter of the PT-RS is configured for a bandwidth part BWP of the terminal. The parameter is used for indicating resource information that needs to be used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP. Because the parameter can determine the resource information that needs to be used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP, the terminal only needs to obtain the parameter of the PT-RS corresponding to a to-be-used BWP when switching the BWP, so that the resource information that needs to be used for sending or receiving the PT-RS is flexibly determined, thereby helping improve flexibility of configuring a BWP by a PT-RS.

Accompanying drawings that need to be used in the description of embodiments or the prior art are simply described below.

The following describes technical solutions in embodiments of this application with reference to accompanying drawings.

<FIG> shows a wireless communications system related to this application. The wireless communications system may operate on a high frequency band, and may be a future evolved 5th generation mobile communications (the 5th Generation, <NUM>) system, a new radio (NR) system, a machine to machine communications (M2M) system, or the like. As shown in <FIG>, the wireless communications system <NUM> may include: one or more network devices <NUM>, one or more terminals <NUM>, and a core network device <NUM>. The network device <NUM> may be a base station. The base station may be configured to communicate with one or more terminals, or may be configured to communicate with one or more base stations (for example, communicate with a macro base station and a micro base station such as an access point) that have some functions of a terminal. The base station may be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) system, or may be an evolved NodeB (eNB) in an LTE system, and a base station in the <NUM> system and the new radio (NR) system. Moreover, the base station may be an access point (AP), a transit node (Trans TRP), a central unit (CU), or another network entity, and may include some or all functions of the foregoing network entities. The core network device <NUM> includes a device on a core network side such as a serving gateway (SGW). The terminal <NUM> may be distributed in the entire wireless communications system <NUM>, and may be static or moving. In some embodiments of this application, the terminal <NUM> may be a mobile device (for example, a smartphone), a mobile station, a mobile unit, an M2M terminal, a radio unit, a remote unit, a user agent, a mobile client, and the like.

It should be noted that, the wireless communications system <NUM> shown in <FIG> merely aims to more clearly describe the technical solutions in this application, but are not intended to limit this application. A person of ordinary skill in the art may know that as the network architectures evolve and a new business scenario emerges, the technical solutions provided in this application further apply to a similar technical problem.

Related technologies in this application are described as follows:
Currently, in an existing NR design, one terminal can configure a plurality of downlink DL BWPs or uplink UP BWPs, and relatively dynamically perform transmission on different BWPs by using manners such as DCI/media access control layer control element MAC CE, and the like.

However, in a current parameter configuration of a phase tracking reference signal (PT-RS), some parameters have been configured for BWPs, that is, related parameter configuration is independently performed for different BWPs, but some parameters have not, which affects flexibility of use of the PT-RS.

For the foregoing problem, embodiments of this application provide the following embodiments, and detailed descriptions are provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> shows a parameter configuration method according to an embodiment of this application. The method is applied to the foregoing exemplary communications system, and the method includes:
In a <NUM> part, a network device indicates a parameter of a phase tracking reference signal PT-RS to a terminal. The parameter of the PT-RS is configured for a bandwidth part BWP of the terminal. The parameter is used for indicating resource information that needs to be used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

The PT-RS is used for suppressing an impact of phase noise on system performance.

According to the invention, the network device indicates the parameter of the phase tracking reference signal PT-RS to the terminal by using radio resource control RRC signaling.

It may be learned that, in this embodiment of this application, a network device indicates a parameter of a phase tracking reference signal PT-RS to a terminal. The parameter of the PT-RS is configured for a bandwidth part BWP of the terminal. The parameter is used for indicating resource information that needs to be used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP. Because the parameter can determine the resource information that needs to be used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP, the terminal only needs to obtain the parameter of the PT-RS corresponding to a to-be-used BWP when switching the BWP, so that the resource information that needs to be used for sending or receiving the PT-RS is flexibly determined, thereby helping improve flexibility of configuring a BWP by a PT-RS. For example, in different bandwidth parts BWP, one terminal may perform multi-user multiple-input multiple-output technology MU-MIMO paring (user paring for short) with different terminals. In this way, for different BWPs, the network device configures parameters of different PT-RSs, thereby flexibly performing the multi-user paring with other terminals on different BWPs.

In a possible embodiment, there is at least one parameter, and each parameter corresponds to one or more BWPs.

In a possible embodiment, the PT-RS includes a downlink DL PT-RS or an uplink UL PT-RS.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes at least one resource block RB offset parameter, and the RB offset parameter is used for indicating a physical resource block PRB location used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

For example, the network device configures M bandwidth parts BWP (which may be uplink BWPs, or downlink BWPs) for the terminal; and for the PT-RS, the network device configures N (N≤M) resource block RB offset parameters for the terminal. One resource block RB offset parameter corresponds to one or more BWPs. When the network device instructs, by using signaling, the terminal to activate a BWP, the terminal selects, according to the correspondence, a resource block RB offset parameter corresponding to the activated BWP, to determine an RB location used by the PT-RS.

It may be learned that, in this embodiment, RB locations used for performing PT-RS transmission are more flexibly configured on different BWPs by independently configuring resource block RB offset parameters for different BWPs.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes at least one resource element RE offset parameter, and the at least one RE offset parameter is used for indicating an RE location used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

For example, the network device configures M bandwidth parts BWP (which may be uplink BWPs, or downlink BWPs) for the terminal; and for the PT-RS, the network device configures N (N≤M) RE offset parameters for the terminal. One RE offset parameter corresponds to one BWP. When the network device instructs, by using signaling, the terminal to activate a BWP, the terminal selects, according to the correspondence, an RE offset parameter corresponding to the activated BWP, to determine an RE location used by the PT-RS.

It may be learned that, in this embodiment, RE locations used for performing PT-RS transmission are more flexibly configured on different BWPs by independently configuring RE offset parameters for different BWPs.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes at least one power offset parameter, and the at least one power offset parameter is used for indicating a power of the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

For example, the network device configures M bandwidth parts BWP (which may be uplink BWPs, or downlink BWPs) for the terminal; and for the PT-RS, the network device configures N (N≤M) power offset parameters for the terminal. One power offset parameter corresponds to one BWP. When the network device instructs, by using signaling, the terminal to activate a BWP, the terminal selects, according to the correspondence, a power offset parameter corresponding to the activated BWP, to determine a power used by the PT-RS.

It may be learned that, in this embodiment, a power used for performing PT-RS transmission is more flexibly configured on different BWPs by independently configuring power offset parameters for different BWPs.

In a possible embodiment, the network device configures the terminal to use a discrete fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing technology DFT-S-OFDM standard, and the PT-RS is an uplink UL PT-RS.

The DFT-S-OFDM corresponds to a transform precoding technology.

It may be learned that, in this embodiment, for a terminal supporting the DFT-S-OFDM standard, resource information used for performing UL PT-RS transmission is more flexibly configured on different BWPs by independently configuring parameters of the UL PT-RSs for different BWPs.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes a time density, and the time density is used for determining a time domain location of the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

For example, the network device configures M bandwidth parts BWP (which may be uplink BWPs, or downlink BWPs) for the terminal; and for the PT-RS, the network device configures N (N≤M) time domain densities for the terminal. One time density corresponds to one or more BWPs. When the network device instructs, by using signaling, the terminal to activate a BWP, the terminal selects, according to the correspondence, a time density corresponding to the activated BWP, to determine a time domain location used by the PT-RS.

It may be learned that, in this embodiment, time domain locations used for performing PT-RS transmission is more flexibly configured on different BWPs by independently configuring time domain densities for different BWPs.

Similar to the embodiment shown in <FIG> shows another parameter configuration method according to an embodiment of this application. The method is applied to the foregoing exemplary communications system, and the method includes:
In a <NUM> part, a terminal receives a parameter of a phase tracking reference signal PT-RS from a network device. The parameter of the PT-RS is configured for a bandwidth part BWP of the terminal. The parameter is used for indicating resource information that needs to be used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

It may be learned that, in this embodiment of this application, because the parameter of the PT-RS can indicate the resource information that needs to be used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP, the terminal only needs to obtain the parameter when the BWP of the terminal is switched, so that the resource information used for sending or receiving the PT-RS on a to-be-used BWP is accurately determined, thereby helping improve flexibility of configuring a BWP by a PT-RS. For example, in different bandwidth parts BWP, one terminal may perform multi-user multiple-input multiple-output technology MU-MIMO paring with different terminals. In this way, for different BWPs, the network device configures parameters of different PT-RSs, thereby flexibly performing the multi-user paring with other terminals on different BWPs.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes at least one resource block RB offset parameter, and the method further includes: determining, by the terminal according to the RB offset parameter, a physical resource block PRB location used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes at least one resource element RE offset parameter, and the method further includes: determining, by the terminal according to the at least one RE offset parameter, an RE location used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes at least one power offset parameter, and the method further includes: determining, by the terminal according to the at least one power offset parameter, a power of the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

In a possible embodiment, the terminal uses a discrete fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing technology DFT-S-OFDM standard, and the PT-RS is an uplink UL PT-RS.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes a time density, and the method further includes: determining, by the terminal according to the time density, a time domain location of the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

Similar to the embodiments shown in <FIG>, <FIG> shows a parameter configuration method according to an embodiment of this application. The method is applied to the foregoing exemplary communications system, and the method includes:
In a <NUM> part, a network device indicates a parameter of a phase tracking reference signal PT-RS to a terminal. The parameter of the PT-RS is configured for a bandwidth part BWP of the terminal. The parameter is used for indicating resource information that needs to be used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

In a <NUM> part, the terminal receives the parameter of the phase tracking reference signal PT-RS from the network device. The parameter of the PT-RS is configured for the bandwidth part of the terminal. The parameter is used for indicating the resource information that needs to be used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

It may be learned that, in this embodiment of this application, a network device indicates a parameter of a phase tracking reference signal PT-RS to a terminal. The parameter of the PT-RS is configured for a bandwidth part BWP of the terminal. The parameter is used for indicating resource information that needs to be used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP. Because the parameter can determine the resource information that needs to be used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP, the terminal only needs to obtain the parameter of the PT-RS corresponding to a to-be-used BWP when switching the BWP, so that the resource information that needs to be used for sending or receiving the PT-RS is flexibly determined, thereby helping improve flexibility of configuring a BWP by a PT-RS. For example, in different bandwidth parts BWP, one terminal may perform multi-user multiple-input multiple-output technology MU-MIMO paring with different terminals. In this way, for different BWPs, the network device configures parameters of different PT-RSs, thereby flexibly performing the multi-user paring with other terminals on different BWPs.

Similar to the foregoing embodiments, <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of this application. The network device is a first network device. As shown in the figure, the network device includes a processor, a memory, a transceiver, and one or more programs. The one or more programs are stored in the memory and are configured to be executed by the processor. The program includes an instruction used for performing the following step.

A parameter of a phase tracking reference signal PT-RS is indicated to a terminal. The parameter of the PT-RS is configured for a bandwidth part BWP of the terminal. The parameter is used for indicating resource information that needs to be used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes at least one resource block RB offset parameter, and the at least one resource block RB offset parameter is used for indicating a physical resource block PRB location used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

Similar to the foregoing embodiments, <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in the figure, the terminal includes a processor, a memory, a communications interface, and one or more programs. The one or more programs are stored in the memory and are configured to be executed by the processor. The program includes an instruction used for performing the following step.

A parameter of a phase tracking reference signal PT-RS from a network device is received. The parameter of the PT-RS is configured for a bandwidth part BWP of the terminal. The parameter is used for indicating resource information that needs to be used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes at least one resource block RB offset parameter. The program further includes an instruction used for performing the following operation: determining, according to the at least one RB offset parameter, a physical resource block PRB location used when sending or receiving the PT-RS on the BWP.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes at least one resource element RE offset parameter. The program further includes an instruction used for performing the following operation: determining, according to the at least one RE offset parameter, an RE location used when sending or receiving the PT-RS on the BWP.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes at least one power offset parameter. The program further includes an instruction used for performing the following operation: determining, according to the at least one power offset parameter, a power when sending or receiving the PT-RS on the BWP.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes a time density. The program further includes an instruction used for performing the following operation: determining, according to the time density, a time domain location when sending or receiving the PT-RS on the BWP.

The foregoing describes the solutions in the embodiments of this application mainly from the perspective of interaction between network elements. It may be understood that, to implement the foregoing functions, the terminal and the network device include a corresponding hardware structure and/or a software module that executes each function. A person skilled in the art should easily be aware that, in combination with the examples of units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification, this application can be implemented by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed by hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on particular applications and design constraints of the technical solutions. A person skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for the particular applications, but it should not be considered that the implementation goes beyond the scope of this application.

In the embodiments of this application, division of functional units may be performed on the terminal and the network device according to the foregoing examples of methods. For example, various functional units may correspond to various functions, or two or more functions may be integrated in one processing unit. The foregoing integrated unit may be implemented in a form of hardware, or may be implemented in a form of a software program module. It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the module division is an example, and is merely logical function division, and there may be other division in actual applications.

When an integrated unit is used, <FIG> is a possible composition block diagram of functional units of the network device used in the foregoing embodiments. The network device is a first network device. The network device <NUM> includes: a processing unit <NUM> and a communications unit <NUM>. The processing unit <NUM> is configured to control and manage actions of the network device. For example, the processing unit <NUM> is configured to support the network device in performing step <NUM> in <FIG>, step <NUM> in <FIG>, and/or another process in the technology described in this specification. The communications unit <NUM> is configured to support the network device in communicating with another device, for example, communicating with the terminal shown in <FIG>. The network device may further include a storage unit <NUM>, configured to store program code and data of the network device.

The processing unit <NUM> may be a processor or a controller. The communications unit <NUM> may be a transceiver, a transmitting and receiving circuit, a radio frequency chip, or the like. The storage unit <NUM> may be a memory.

The processing unit <NUM> is configured to indicate, by using the communications unit, a parameter of a phase tracking reference signal PT-RS to a terminal. The parameter of the PT-RS is configured for a bandwidth part BWP of the terminal. The parameter is used for indicating resource information that needs to be used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

When the processing unit <NUM> is a processor, the communications unit <NUM> is a communications interface, and the storage unit <NUM> is a memory, the network device in this embodiment of this application may be the network device shown in <FIG>.

When an integrated unit is used, <FIG> is a possible composition block diagram of functional units of the terminal used in the foregoing embodiments. The terminal <NUM> includes a processing unit <NUM> and a communications unit <NUM>. The processing unit <NUM> is configured to control and manage actions of the terminal. For example, the processing unit <NUM> is configured to support the terminal in performing step <NUM> in <FIG>, step <NUM> in <FIG>, and/or another process in the technology described in this specification. The communications unit <NUM> is configured to support the terminal in communicating with another device, for example, communicating with the network device shown in <FIG>. The terminal may further include a storage unit <NUM>, configured to store program code and data of the terminal.

The processing unit <NUM> may be a processor or a controller, and for example, may be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or another programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. The controller/processor may implement or execute various examples of logical blocks, modules, and circuits described with reference to content disclosed in this application. Alternatively, the processor may be a combination that implements a calculation function, for example, including one microprocessor or a combination of a plurality of microprocessors, or a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor. The communications unit <NUM> may be a transceiver, a transmitting and receiving circuit, or the like. The storage unit <NUM> may be a memory.

The processing unit <NUM> is configured to receive a parameter of a phase tracking reference signal PT-RS from a network device. The parameter of the PT-RS is configured for a bandwidth part BWP of the terminal. The parameter is used for indicating resource information that needs to be used by the terminal when the terminal sends or receives the PT-RS on the BWP.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes at least one resource block RB offset parameter. The processing unit <NUM> is further configured to determine, according to the at least one RB offset parameter, a physical resource block PRB location used when sending or receiving the PT-RS on the BWP.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes at least one resource element RE offset parameter. The processing unit <NUM> is further configured to determine, according to the at least one RE offset parameter, an RE location used when sending or receiving the PT-RS on the BWP.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes at least one power offset parameter. The processing unit <NUM> is further configured to determine, according to the at least one power offset parameter, a power when sending or receiving the PT-RS on the BWP.

In a possible embodiment, the parameter includes a time density. The processing unit <NUM> is further configured to determine, according to the time density, a time domain location when sending or receiving the PT-RS on the BWP.

When the processing unit <NUM> is a processor, the communications unit <NUM> is a communications interface, and the storage unit <NUM> is a memory, the terminal in this embodiment of this application may be the terminal shown in <FIG>.

An embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program used in electronic data exchange. The computer program enables a computer to perform some or all of the steps described about the terminal in the foregoing method embodiments.

An embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program used in electronic data exchange. The computer program enables a computer to perform some or all of the steps described about the network device in the foregoing method embodiments.

An embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a computer program storing a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program may be operated to enable a computer to perform some or all of the steps described about the terminal in the foregoing method embodiments. The computer program product may be a software installation package.

An embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a computer program storing a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program may be operated to enable a computer to perform some or all of the steps described about the network device in the foregoing methods. The computer program product may be a software installation package.

Steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by a processor executing a software instruction. The software instruction may include a corresponding software module. The software module may be stored in a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a removable hard disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium well-known in the art. For example, a storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and can write information into the storage medium. Certainly, the storage medium may alternatively be a component of a processor. The processor and the storage medium may be located in the ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located in an access network device, a target network device, or a core network device. Certainly, the processor and the storage medium may alternatively exist, as discrete components, in the access network device, the target network device, or the core network device.

A person skilled in the art may be aware that in one or more of the foregoing examples, all or some of the functions described in the embodiments of this application may be implemented by using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used for implementing the embodiments, all or some of the embodiments may be implemented in a form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of this application are completely or partially generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or another programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or may be transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired (for example, by using a coaxial cable, an optical fiber, or a digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (for example, infrared, radio, or microwave) manner. The computer-readable storage medium may be any usable medium accessible by the computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or a data center, integrating one or more usable media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, a digital video disc (DVD)), a semiconductor medium (for example, a solid state disk (SSD)), or the like.

Claim 1:
A parameter configuration method, comprising:
sending (<NUM>), by a network device (<NUM>), a radio resource control, RRC, signaling to a terminal (<NUM>), wherein the RRC signaling comprises parameters of phase tracking reference signal, PT-RS, and the parameters of PT-RS comprise at least one of resource element, RE, offset parameters and power offset parameters, the at least one of RE offset parameters and power offset parameters being in a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of bandwidth parts, BWPs, in a carrier, with one RE offset parameter corresponding to one BWP and/or one power offset parameter corresponding to one BWP; and
sending, by the network device, downlink control information, DCI, or media access control layer control element, MAC CE, to the terminal, wherein the DCI or the MAC CE is used for indicating an activated BWP, wherein the one-to-one correspondence is used to instruct the terminal to select one of the at least one of RE offset parameters and power offset parameters corresponding to the activated BWP.