Patent Description:
A communication system of new generation is expected to support a flexible configuration of multiple types of services corresponding to different service requirements. For example, enhanced Mobile Broad Band (eMBB), as a type of service, mainly focuses on the requirements of wide bandwidth, high-speed rate, etc.; Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC), as another type of service, mainly focuses on the requirements of high reliability and low latency; and massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), as another type of service, mainly focuses on the requirements of a large number of connections. However, with the service requirements developing, just utilizing a licensed spectrum may not be enough to satisfy the increasing service requirements in the communication system of new generation. <CIT> describes a communication technique for converging a <NUM> communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate than a <NUM> system with IoT technology, and a system therefor. <CIT> discloses a communication technique for combining a <NUM> communications system that supports higher data transmission rates after <NUM> systems with IoT technology, and a system therefor.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate examples consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

The present invention will be described in detail here with the examples thereof expressed in the drawings. Where the following descriptions involve the drawings, like numerals in different drawings refer to like or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The implementations described in the following examples do not represent all implementations consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples consistent with some aspects of the present invention as detailed in the appended claims.

The terms used in the present invention are for the purpose of describing particular examples only, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Terms determined by "a", "the" and "said" in their singular forms in the present invention and the appended claims are also intended to include plurality, unless clearly indicated otherwise in the context. It should also be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein is and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It is to be understood that, although terms "first," "second," "third," and the like may be used in the present invention to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one category of information from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, first information may be referred as second information; and similarly, second information may also be referred as first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when", "upon", or "in response to determining".

<FIG> is a flowchart of a channel indication method illustrated according to an example, and <FIG> is a scenario diagram of a channel indication method illustrated according to an example. The channel indication method is performed by a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum. As illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication method includes the following steps <NUM>-<NUM>.

At step <NUM>, one or more first channel detection subbands that pass a channel detection are determined.

The base station performs the channel detection on a plurality of channel detection subbands to obtain a channel detection result. The one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection are included in the channel detection result. The first channel detection subband here refers to a channel detection subband that has passed the channel detection.

In addition, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection are a plurality of bandwidth parts configured on one unlicensed carrier, a plurality of unlicensed carriers, or a plurality of bandwidth parts configured on a plurality of unlicensed carriers.

At step <NUM>, a channel indication signal is generated. The channel indication signal indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection.

In one or more examples of the present invention, the channel indication signal indicates which channel detection subbands have passed the channel detection.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step <NUM> may include a first downlink signal and first downlink control signaling. The first downlink signal is configured for instructing a terminal to detect the downlink control signaling transmitted subsequently. The first downlink control signaling includes identification information for representing the one or more first channel detection subbands. The detailed realization of this example may refer to an example illustrated in <FIG>.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step <NUM> may include a second downlink signal. A sequence value of the second downlink signal indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. The detailed realization of this example may refer to an example illustrated in <FIG>.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step <NUM> may include a third downlink signal. One or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. The detailed realization of this example may refer to an example illustrated in <FIG>.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step <NUM> may include second downlink control signaling. A designated information field of the second downlink control signaling includes first indication information for explicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands, or a CRC scrambling sequence of the second downlink control signaling includes second indication information for implicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands. The detailed realization of this example may refer to an example illustrated in <FIG>.

At step <NUM>, the channel indication signal is transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal determines, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection.

In one or more examples of the present invention, the base station informs the terminal which channel detection subbands have passed the channel detection through the channel indication signal, so that the terminal can perform a data transmission on these channel detection subbands that have passed the channel detection.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a base station <NUM> and a terminal <NUM> are included in an exemplary scenario. After determining one or more first channel detection subbands that pass a channel detection, the base station <NUM> generates a channel indication signal. The channel indication signal indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and is transmitted to the terminal <NUM>. After receiving the channel indication signal from the base station <NUM>, the terminal <NUM> can determine, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and perform a data transmission on the one or more first channel detection subbands.

In the present invention, the base station <NUM> may be a facility deployed in an access network to provide the terminal <NUM> with wireless communication functions. The base station <NUM> may cover various forms of a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay station, an access point and the like. In systems implemented with different wireless access technologies, the facility with base station functions may be named differently. For example, in a <NUM> NR system, it is called gNodeB or gNB. The name, "base station", may be changed with the development of communication technologies. In order to simplify the description, in the examples of the present invention, the above-mentioned facilities that provide the terminal <NUM> with the wireless communication functions is collectively referred to as base stations.

There are usually a plurality of terminals <NUM>. In a cell controlled by one base station <NUM>, there may distribute one or more terminals <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> may cover various devices with the wireless communication functions, such as handheld devices, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, and may cover various forms of User Equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a terminal device and the like. In order to simplify the description, in the examples of the present invention, the devices mentioned above are collectively referred to as terminals.

According to the above examples, after determining the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, the channel indication signal is generated to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and is transmitted to the terminal, so that based on the channel indication signal, the terminal can accurately determine the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, thereby reducing an energy consumption for the channel detection and improving a data transmission performance.

<FIG> is a flowchart of another channel indication method illustrated according to an example. The channel indication method is performed by a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum. On the basis of the method illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication signal includes a first downlink signal and first downlink control signaling, the first downlink signal is configured for instructing the terminal to detect the downlink control signaling transmitted subsequently, and the first downlink control signaling includes identification information for representing the one or more first channel detection subbands. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the step <NUM> is performed, the following steps <NUM>-<NUM> may be included.

At step <NUM>, one or more second channel detection subbands for transmitting the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling are determined. The one or more second channel detection subbands are all or a part of the one or more first channel detection subbands.

In one or more examples of the present invention, the first downlink signal may be a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS), a Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), or another type of downlink signal. The first downlink control signaling may be control signaling configured to carry common control information.

If the one or more second channel detection subbands are all of the one or more first channel detection subbands, it means that the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling are to be transmitted on every first channel detection subband. As illustrated in <FIG>, a channel detection subband <NUM> and a channel detection subband <NUM> are the first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling are transmitted on the channel detection subband <NUM> and the channel detection subband <NUM>.

As an example, the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband <NUM> and the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband <NUM> include the same identification information: Channel Detection Subband <NUM> and Channel Detection Subband <NUM>.

As another example, the identification information included in the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband <NUM> is Channel Detection Subband <NUM>, and the identification information included in the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband <NUM> is Channel Detection Subband <NUM>.

If the one or more second channel detection subbands are a part of the one or more first channel detection subbands, it means that the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling are to be transmitted on each of the part of subbands. As illustrated in <FIG>, a channel detection subband <NUM>, a channel detection subband <NUM> and a channel detection subband <NUM> are the first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling are only transmitted on the channel detection subband <NUM> and the channel detection subband <NUM>.

As an example, the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband <NUM> and the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband <NUM> include the same identification information: Channel Detection Subband <NUM>, Channel Detection Subband <NUM>, and Channel Detection Subband <NUM>.

As another example, the identification information included in the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband <NUM> is Channel Detection Subband <NUM> and Channel Detection Subband <NUM>, and the identification information included in the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband <NUM> is Channel Detection Subband <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the first downlink signal is transmitted at a first position of the one or more second channel detection subbands.

At step <NUM>, the first downlink control signaling is transmitted at a second position of the one or more second channel detection subbands. The second position is subsequent to the first position.

A time interval between the first position in the step <NUM> and the second position in the step <NUM> may be predefined or be informed by the base station in advance through signaling.

According to the above example, the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling can be transmitted respectively at the first position and the second position of each of the one or more first channel detection subbands, or respectively at the first position and the second position of each of the part of the one or more first channel detection subbands, thereby enriching a channel indication diversity and improving a channel indication reliability.

<FIG> is a flowchart of another channel indication method illustrated according to an example. The channel indication method is performed by a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum. On the basis of the method illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication signal includes a second downlink signal, and a sequence value of the second downlink signal indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the step <NUM> is performed, the following step <NUM> may be included.

At step <NUM>, the channel indication signal carrying the second downlink signal is transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal determines the sequence value of the second downlink signal, and determines the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the sequence value of the second downlink signal.

In an example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication method may further include the following steps <NUM>-<NUM>.

At step <NUM>, a first correspondence between preset downlink signal sequence values and preset channel detection subbands passing the channel detection is acquired.

In one or more examples of the present invention, the first correspondence involves the preset downlink signal sequence values and the preset channel detection subbands passing the channel detection. A specific correspondence may be illustrated in <FIG> in detail. As illustrated in <FIG>, the first downlink signal may be a DMRS, and the preset downlink signal sequence values include a DMRS sequence <NUM>, a DMRS sequence <NUM>, a DMRS sequence <NUM>, a DMRS sequence <NUM>, a DMRS sequence <NUM>, and so on. The DMRS sequence <NUM> corresponds to a channel detection subband <NUM>, the DMRS sequence <NUM> corresponds to a channel detection subband <NUM>, the DMRS sequence <NUM> corresponds to a channel detection subband <NUM>, the DMRS sequence <NUM> corresponds to the channel detection subbands <NUM> and <NUM>, the DMRS sequence <NUM> corresponds to the channel detection subbands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, and so on.

At step <NUM>, the first correspondence is transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal determines, based on the first correspondence, the one or more first channel detection subbands corresponding to the sequence value of the second downlink signal.

In one or more examples of the present invention, there is no restriction on an order of the transmissions in the step <NUM> and the step <NUM>. The transmission in the step <NUM> and the transmission in the step <NUM> may be performed at the same time, the transmission in the step <NUM> may be performed before that in the step <NUM>, or the transmission in the step <NUM> may be performed after that in the step <NUM>.

In addition, if the terminal may know the first correspondence in the steps <NUM>-<NUM> in advance instead of being informed by the base station, for example, if the first correspondence has been given in a protocol, the base station may not transmit the first correspondence to the terminal.

According to the above examples, the sequence value of the second downlink signal can be utilized to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the channel indication signal carrying the second downlink signal can be transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal can determine the sequence value of the second downlink signal, and determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the sequence value of the second downlink signal, thereby saving a signaling overhead for the channel indication and improving a channel indication efficiency.

<FIG> is a flowchart of another channel indication method illustrated according to an example. The channel indication method is performed by a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum. On the basis of the method illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication signal includes a third downlink signal, and one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the step <NUM> is performed, the following step <NUM> may be included.

At step <NUM>, the channel indication signal carrying the third downlink signal is transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal determines the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted, and determines the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted.

At step <NUM>, a second correspondence between preset downlink signal transmission positions and preset channel detection subbands passing the channel detection is acquired.

In one or more examples of the present invention, the second correspondence involves acquiring the preset downlink signal transmission positions and the preset channel detection subbands passing the channel detection. For example, the third downlink signal may be a DMRS. If the DMRS is detected at a frequency position x on a channel detection subband, it means that the channel detection subband <NUM> has passed the channel detection. If the DMRS is detected at a frequency position y on a channel detection subband, it means that the channel detection subbands <NUM> and <NUM> have passed the channel detection. Either x or y may correspond to one or more values. The correspondence between the DMRS transmission positions and the channel detection results is pre-defined or informed to the terminal through signaling by the base station.

At step <NUM>, the second correspondence is transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal determines, based on the second correspondence, the one or more first channel detection subbands corresponding to the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted.

In addition, if the terminal may know the second correspondence in the steps <NUM>-<NUM> in advance instead of being informed by the base station, for example, if the second correspondence has been given in a protocol, the base station may not transmit the second correspondence to the terminal.

According to the above examples, the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted can be utilized to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the channel indication signal carrying the third downlink signal can be transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal can determine the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted, and determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted, thereby saving a signaling overhead for the channel indication and extending channel indication forms.

<FIG> is a flowchart of another channel indication method illustrated according to an example. The channel indication method is performed by a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum. On the basis of the method illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication signal includes second downlink control signaling. A designated information field of the second downlink control signaling includes first indication information for explicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands, or a CRC scrambling sequence of the second downlink control signaling includes second indication information for implicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the step <NUM> is performed, the following step <NUM> may be included.

At step <NUM>, the channel indication signal carrying the second downlink control signaling is transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal determines the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the first indication information or the second indication information of the second downlink control signaling.

According to the above example, the second downlink control signaling can be utilized to explicitly or implicitly indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the channel indication signal carrying the second downlink control signaling can be transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal can determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the first indication information or the second indication information of the second downlink control signaling, thereby improving a channel indication accuracy.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a channel indication method illustrated according to an example, and <FIG> is a scenario diagram of a channel indication method illustrated according to an example. The channel indication method is performed by a terminal working on an unlicensed spectrum. As illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication method includes the following steps <NUM>-<NUM>.

At step <NUM>, a channel indication signal from a base station is received. The channel indication signal indicates one or more first channel detection subbands that pass a channel detection.

The base station can inform the terminal which channel detection subbands have passed the channel detection through the channel indication signal, so that the terminal performs a data transmission on these channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. The first channel detection subband here refers to a channel detection subband that has passed the channel detection.

At step <NUM>, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection are determined based on the channel indication signal.

In one or more examples of the present invention, in view of different contents included in the channel indication signal, the terminal determines the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection in a corresponding manner.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step <NUM> may include a first downlink signal and first downlink control signaling. The first downlink signal is configured for instructing the terminal to detect the downlink control signaling transmitted subsequently. The first downlink control signaling includes identification information for representing the one or more first channel detection subbands. Correspondingly, when the step <NUM> is performed, it may include:.

In this way, since it is unknown for the terminal which first channel detection subband is used by the base station to transmit the identification information, the terminal receives the first downlink signal on every channel detection subband. Only after the first downlink signal is received on a channel detection subband, the terminal determines that the base station will transmit the identification information on the first channel detection subband, and thus continues to receive subsequent first downlink control signaling.

Correspondingly, when the step <NUM> is performed, it may include:
(<NUM>-<NUM>) determining the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the identification information included in the first downlink control signaling.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step <NUM> may include a second downlink signal. A sequence value of the second downlink signal indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. Correspondingly, when the step <NUM> is performed, it may include:.

In an example, when the step (<NUM>-<NUM>) is performed, it may include:.

The approach for acquiring the first correspondence in above step (<NUM>-<NUM>) may include: receiving a notice from the base station; or learning in advance in the terminal, for example, when the first correspondence is given in a protocol.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step <NUM> may include a third downlink signal. One or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. Correspondingly, when the step <NUM> is performed, it may include:.

The approach for acquiring the second correspondence in above step (<NUM>-<NUM>) may include: receiving a notice from the base station; or learning in advance in the terminal, for example, the second correspondence given in a protocol.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step <NUM> may include a second downlink control signaling. A designated information field of the second downlink control signaling includes first indication information for explicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands, or a CRC scrambling sequence of the second downlink control signaling includes second indication information for implicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands. Correspondingly, when the step <NUM> is performed, it may include:
(<NUM>-<NUM>) determining the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the first indication information or the second indication information. The first indication information is configured for explicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands, and the second indication information is configured for implicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands.

According to the above examples, after the channel indication signal, which is transmitted by the base station and indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, is received, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection are accurately determined based on the channel indication signal, thereby reducing an energy consumption for the channel detection and improving a data transmission performance. In particular, it can adopt corresponding determination schemes according to different contents included in the channel indication signal, thereby enriching a channel indication diversity and improving a channel indication reliability and a channel indication accuracy.

Corresponding to the foregoing channel indication method examples, the present invention also provides channel indication apparatus examples which are not a part of the invention but are present for illustration purposes only.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example. The apparatus is configured in a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum and is configured to perform the channel indication method illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication apparatus may include:.

According to the above example, after determining the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, the channel indication signal is generated to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and is transmitted to the terminal, so that based on the channel indication signal, the terminal accurately determines the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, thereby reducing an energy consumption for the channel detection and improving a data transmission performance.

In an example, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication signal includes a first downlink signal and first downlink control signaling. The first downlink signal is configured for instructing the terminal to detect the downlink control signaling transmitted subsequently. The first downlink control signaling includes identification information for representing the one or more first channel detection subbands. In an example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first transmitting module <NUM> may include:.

According to the above example, the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling can be transmitted respectively at the first position and the second position of each of the one or more first channel detection subbands, or respectively at the first position and the second position of each of a part of the one or more first channel detection subbands, thereby enriching a channel indication diversity and improving a channel indication reliability.

In an example, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication signal includes a second downlink signal. A sequence value of the second downlink signal indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. In an example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the apparatus further includes:.

According to the above example, the sequence value of the second downlink signal can be utilized to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the channel indication signal carrying the second downlink signal can be transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal can determine the sequence value of the second downlink signal, and determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the sequence value of the second downlink signal, thereby saving a signaling overhead for the channel indication and improving a channel indication efficiency.

In an example, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication signal includes a third downlink signal. One or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. In an example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the apparatus further includes:.

According to the above example, the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted can be utilized to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the channel indication signal carrying the third downlink signal can be transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal can determine the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted, and determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted, thereby saving a signaling overhead for the channel indication and extending channel indication forms.

In an example, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication signal includes second downlink control signaling. A designated information field of the second downlink control signaling includes first indication information for explicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands, or a CRC scrambling sequence of the second downlink control signaling includes second indication information for implicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands.

According to the above example, the second downlink control signaling can be utilized to explicitly or implicitly indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the channel indication signal carrying the second downlink control signaling is transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal determines the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the first indication information or the second indication information of the second downlink control signaling, thereby improving a channel indication accuracy.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example. The apparatus is configured in a terminal working on an unlicensed spectrum and is configured to perform the channel indication method illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication apparatus may include:.

In an example, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication signal includes a first downlink signal and first downlink control signaling. The first downlink signal is configured for instructing the terminal to detect the downlink control signaling transmitted subsequently. The first downlink control signaling includes identification information for representing the one or more first channel detection subbands. In an example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the receiving module <NUM> may include:.

The determining module <NUM> may include:
a first determining submodule <NUM> that is configured to determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the identification information included in the first downlink control signaling.

In an example as illustrated in <FIG>, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication signal includes a second downlink signal. A sequence value of the second downlink signal indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. The determining module <NUM> may include:.

In an example as illustrated in <FIG>, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, the third determining submodule <NUM> may include:.

In an example as illustrated in <FIG>, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication signal includes a third downlink signal. One or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. The determining module <NUM> may include:.

In an example as illustrated in <FIG>, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, the fifth determining submodule <NUM> may include:.

In an example as illustrated in <FIG>, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication signal includes second downlink control signaling. A designated information field of the second downlink control signaling includes first indication information for explicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands, or a CRC scrambling sequence of the second downlink control signaling includes second indication information for implicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands. The determining module <NUM> may include:
a sixth determining submodule <NUM> that is configured to determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the first indication information or the second indication information.

According to the above example, after the channel indication signal, which is transmitted by the base station and indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, is received, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection can be accurately determined based on the channel indication signal, thereby reducing an energy consumption for the channel detection and improving a data transmission performance. In particular, it can adopt corresponding determination schemes according to different contents included in the channel indication signal, thereby enriching a channel indication diversity and improving a channel indication reliability and a channel indication accuracy.

Since the apparatus examples essentially correspond to the method examples, reference may be made to the description of related parts of the method examples. The apparatus examples described above are merely illustrative, where the units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, may be located in one place or distributed to multiple units in a network. Some or all of the modules may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the objectives of the present invention. It can be understood and implemented by those of ordinary skill in the art without any creative effort.

The present invention also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which is not a part of the invention but is present for illustration purposes only, and the computer program is configured to perform the channel indication method described in any one of <FIG>.

The present invention also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which is not a part of the invention but is present for illustration purposes only, and the computer program is configured to perform the channel indication methods described in <FIG>.

The present invention also provides a channel indication apparatus, configured in a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum, and the apparatus includes:
one or more processors and a memory for storing instructions executable by the one or more processors.

The one or more processors are configured to:.

As illustrated in <FIG>, it is a structure schematic diagram of a channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example. The apparatus <NUM> is provided as a base station. Referring to <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> includes a processing component <NUM>, a wireless transmission/reception component <NUM>, an antenna component <NUM>, and a signal processing part peculiar to the wireless interface. The processing component <NUM> further includes one or more processors.

One of the processors of the processing component <NUM> is configured to perform any one of the above channel indication methods illustrated in <FIG>.

The present invention also provides a channel indication apparatus, configured in a terminal working on an unlicensed spectrum, and the apparatus includes:
one or more processors and a memory for storing instructions executable by the one or more processors.

<FIG> is a structure schematic diagram of a channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example. As illustrated in <FIG>, the channel indication apparatus <NUM> according to an example is a terminal, such as a computer, a mobile phone, a digital broadcasting terminal, a messaging device, a game console, a tablet device, a medical device, fitness equipment, and a personal digital assistant.

Referring to <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> may include one or more of the following components: a processing component <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a power supply component <NUM>, a multimedia component <NUM>, an audio component <NUM>, an input/output (I/O) interface <NUM>, a sensor component <NUM>, and a communication component <NUM>.

The processing component <NUM> generally controls the overall operations of the apparatus <NUM>, such as operations associated with display, phone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing component <NUM> includes one or more processors <NUM> to execute instructions to complete all or part of the steps of the above methods illustrated in <FIG>. In addition, the processing component <NUM> may include one or more modules to facilitate interaction between the processing component <NUM> and other components. For example, the processing component <NUM> may include a multimedia module to facilitate the interaction between the multimedia component <NUM> and the processing component <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of the apparatus <NUM>. Examples of such data include instructions for any application or method operated on the apparatus <NUM>, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, videos, and the like. The memory <NUM> may be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), programmable read only memory (PROM), read only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, disk or optical disk.

The power supply component <NUM> provides power to various components of the apparatus <NUM>. The power supply component <NUM> may include a power supply management system, one or more power supplies, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power for the apparatus <NUM>.

The multimedia component <NUM> includes a screen providing an output interface between the apparatus <NUM> and a user. In some examples, the screen may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel (TP). If the screen includes the TP, the screen may be implemented as a touch screen to receive input signals from the user. The TP may include one or more touch sensors to sense touches, swipes, and gestures on the TP. The touch sensors may not only sense a boundary of a touch or swipe, but also sense a lasting time and a pressure associated with the touch or swipe. In some examples, the multimedia component <NUM> includes a front camera and/or a rear camera. The front camera and/or rear camera may receive external multimedia data when the apparatus <NUM> is in an operating mode, such as a photographing mode or a video mode. Each front camera and rear camera may be a fixed optical lens system or have focal length and optical zooming capability.

The audio component <NUM> is configured to output and/or input an audio signal. For example, the audio component <NUM> includes a microphone (MIC) that is configured to receive an external audio signal when the apparatus <NUM> is in an operating mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signal may be further stored in the memory <NUM> or sent via the communication component <NUM>. In some examples, the audio component <NUM> also includes a speaker for outputting an audio signal.

The I/O interface <NUM> provides an interface between the processing component <NUM> and a peripheral interface module. The above peripheral interface module may be a keyboard, a click wheel, buttons, or the like. These buttons may include but not limited to, a home button, a volume button, a start button and a lock button.

The sensor component <NUM> includes one or more sensors to provide the apparatus <NUM> with status assessments in various aspects. For example, the sensor component <NUM> may detect an open/closed state of the apparatus <NUM> and a relative positioning of components such as the display and keypad of the apparatus <NUM>, and the sensor component <NUM> may also detect a change in position of the apparatus <NUM> or a component of the apparatus <NUM>, the presence or absence of user contact with the apparatus <NUM>, orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the apparatus <NUM>, and temperature change of the apparatus <NUM>. The sensor component <NUM> may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of a nearby object without any physical contact. The sensor component <NUM> may further include an optical sensor, such as a Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) or Charged Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor which is used in imaging applications. In some examples, the sensor component <NUM> may also include an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor. The communication component <NUM> is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the apparatus <NUM> and other devices. The apparatus <NUM> may access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as Wi-Fi, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>/LTE, <NUM>/NR or a combination thereof. In an example, the communication component <NUM> receives broadcast signals or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In an example, the communication component <NUM> also includes a near field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communication. For example, the NFC module may be implemented based on a radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, an infrared data association (IrDA) technology, an ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, a Blue Tooth (BT) technology and other technologies.

In an example, the apparatus <NUM> may be implemented by one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic components for performing the above methods.

In some examples, there is also provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions, such as the memory <NUM> including instructions executable by the processor <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM> to implement the above methods. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and the like.

When instructions in the storage medium are executed by the processor, the apparatus <NUM> can execute any one of the channel indication methods described above.

Other implementations of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art after implementing the invention by referring to the specification. The present invention is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present invention that are in accordance with the general principles thereof and include common general knowledge or conventional technical means in the art that are not disclosed in the present invention. The specification and examples therein are only illustrative, and the scope of the present invention is to be indicated by appended claims.

Claim 1:
A channel indication method, comprising:
performing, by a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum, a channel detection on a plurality of channel detection subbands;
determining (<NUM>), by the base station, one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection;
generating (<NUM>), by the base station, a channel indication signal to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection; and
transmitting (<NUM>), by the base station, the channel indication signal to a terminal to determine, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection;
wherein the plurality of channel detection subbands include a plurality of bandwidth parts configured on one unlicensed carrier, a plurality of unlicensed carriers, or a plurality of bandwidth parts configured on a plurality of unlicensed carriers.