TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a channel state information feedback method and an apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In a wireless communications system such as a wireless local area network (WLAN), a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology is a widely used technology. When the MIMO technology is used, a beamformer needs to obtain channel state information from a beamformee, such that the beamformer implements functions such as beamforming, rate control, and resource allocation based on the channel state information.

An 802.11 standard is a universal WLAN standard. Currently, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is discussing a next generation 802.11 standard after 802.11ax. Compared with the previous 802.11 standard, the next generation 802.11 standard supports data transmission with an extremely high throughput (EHT), that is, the next generation 802.11 standard supports a higher bandwidth (for example, 320 megahertz (MHz)) and more streams (for example, 16 spatial streams). In this way, the beamformee needs to feed back more pieces of channel state information to the beamformer, resulting in excessively high feedback overheads. Therefore, for the next generation 802.11 standard, how to feed back channel state information and implement balance between feedback overheads and feedback precision of the channel state information is an urgent problem to be resolved.

SUMMARY

This application provides a channel state information feedback method and an apparatus, to flexibly feed back channel state information, so as to implement balance between feedback overheads and feedback precision of the channel state information.

To achieve the foregoing objective, this application provides the following technical solutions.

According to a first aspect, a channel state information feedback method is provided, and includes the following steps: A beamformer sends a media access control (MAC) frame, where the MAC frame includes a processing mode bitmap, every n bits in the processing mode bitmap correspond to one feedback unit, a value of the n bits is used to indicate a processing mode of channel state information of the corresponding feedback unit, and n is a positive integer; and the beamformer receives a beamforming report sent by a beamformee, where the beamforming report includes one or more feedback fields, each feedback field corresponds to one feedback unit, the feedback field includes channel state information of the corresponding feedback unit, and the channel state information of the corresponding feedback unit is processed in a processing mode indicated by the processing mode bitmap.

Based on the foregoing technical solution, every n bits in the processing mode bitmap correspond to one feedback unit, and the value of the n bits is used to indicate the processing mode of the channel state information of the corresponding feedback unit. It may be understood that different processing modes correspond to different feedback overheads and different feedback precision. Therefore, for channel state information of some feedback units (for example, relatively important channels), the beamformer may indicate, using the processing mode bitmap, the beamformee to use a processing mode with relatively high feedback precision, to ensure feedback precision. For channel state information of some other feedback units (for example, unimportant channels), the beamformer may indicate, using the processing mode bitmap, the beamformee to use a processing mode with relatively low feedback overheads, to reduce feedback overheads. In this way, the beamformer may configure a proper processing mode based on a requirement, and indicate the beamformee to process channel state information of different feedback units in different processing modes, to implement balance between feedback overheads and feedback precision of the channel state information when the channel state information is fed back.

In a possible design, the feedback unit is a segment, a resource unit, or a channel.

In a possible design, the MAC frame is a null data packet announcement (NDPA) frame or a beamforming report poll trigger frame.

According to a second aspect, a channel state information feedback method is provided, and includes the following steps: A beamformee receives a MAC frame sent by a beamformer, where the MAC frame includes a processing mode bitmap, every n bits in the processing mode bitmap correspond to one feedback unit, a value of the n bits is used to indicate a processing mode of channel state information of the corresponding feedback unit, and n is a positive integer; and the beamformee sends a beamforming report to the beamformer, where the beamforming report includes one or more feedback fields, each feedback field corresponds to one feedback unit, the feedback field includes channel state information of the corresponding feedback unit, and the channel state information of the corresponding feedback unit is processed in a processing mode indicated by the processing mode bitmap.

Based on the foregoing technical solution, every n bits in the processing mode bitmap correspond to one feedback unit, and the value of the n bits is used to indicate the processing mode of the channel state information of the corresponding feedback unit. It may be understood that different processing modes correspond to different feedback overheads and different feedback precision. Therefore, for channel state information of some feedback units (for example, relatively important channels), the beamformer may indicate, using the processing mode bitmap, the beamformee to use a processing mode with relatively high feedback precision, to ensure feedback precision. For channel state information of some other feedback units (for example, unimportant channels), the beamformer may indicate, using the processing mode bitmap, the beamformee to use a processing mode with relatively low feedback overheads, to reduce feedback overheads. In this way, the beamformer may configure a proper processing mode based on a requirement, and indicate the beamformee to process channel state information of different feedback units in different processing modes, to implement balance between feedback overheads and feedback precision of the channel state information when the channel state information is fed back.

In a possible design, the feedback unit is a segment, a resource unit, or a channel.

In a possible design, the MAC frame is an NDPA frame or a beamforming report poll trigger frame.

According to a third aspect, a channel state information feedback method is provided, and includes the following steps: A beamformer sends a MAC frame, where the MAC frame includes at least two pieces of user information corresponding to a target beamformee, and at least one type of configuration parameters in configuration parameters included in the at least two pieces of user information have different values; and the beamformer receives a beamforming report sent by the target beamformee, where the beamforming report includes channel state information respectively corresponding to the at least two pieces of user information.

Based on the foregoing technical solution, the MAC frame may include the at least two pieces of user information corresponding to the target beamformee, and the at least one type of configuration parameters in the configuration parameters included in the at least two pieces of user information have different values. To be more specific, the beamformer may indicate, using a plurality of pieces of user information corresponding to the target beamformee in the MAC frame, the target beamformee to feed back a plurality of pieces of channel state information, where the plurality of pieces of channel state information may be processed in different processing modes, and/or the plurality of pieces of channel state information are channel state information of resource units at different parts. In this way, the channel state information is flexibly fed back.

In a possible design, the user information includes one or more of the following configuration parameters: a resource unit start index, a resource unit end index, processing mode indication information, a number of grouping, or codebook information.

In a possible design, the MAC frame is an NDPA frame or a beamforming report poll trigger frame.

According to a fourth aspect, a channel state information feedback method is provided, and includes the following steps: A target beamformee receives a MAC frame sent by a beamformer, where the MAC frame includes at least two pieces of user information corresponding to the target beamformee, and at least one type of configuration parameters in configuration parameters included in the at least two pieces of user information have different values; and the target beamformee sends a beamforming report to the beamformer, where the beamforming report includes channel state information respectively corresponding to the at least two pieces of user information.

Based on the foregoing technical solution, the MAC frame may include the at least two pieces of user information corresponding to the target beamformee, and the at least one type of configuration parameters in the configuration parameters included in the at least two pieces of user information have different values. To be more specific, the beamformer may indicate, using a plurality of pieces of user information corresponding to the target beamformee in the MAC frame, the target beamformee to feed back a plurality of pieces of channel state information, where the plurality of pieces of channel state information may be processed in different processing modes, and/or the plurality of pieces of channel state information are channel state information of resource units at different parts. In this way, the channel state information is flexibly fed back.

In a possible design, the user information includes one or more of the following configuration parameters: a resource unit start index, a resource unit end index, processing mode indication information, a number of grouping, or codebook information.

In a possible design, the MAC frame is an NDPA frame or a beamforming report poll trigger frame.

According to a fifth aspect, a communications apparatus is provided. The communications apparatus is configured to perform the method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. For example, the communications apparatus includes a unit configured to perform the method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

According to a sixth aspect, a communications apparatus is provided. The communications apparatus is configured to perform the method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. For example, the communications apparatus includes a unit configured to perform the method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

According to a seventh aspect, a communications apparatus is provided. The communications apparatus is configured to perform the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. For example, the communications apparatus includes a unit configured to perform the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

According to an eighth aspect, a communications apparatus is provided. The communications apparatus is configured to perform the method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. For example, the communications apparatus includes a unit configured to perform the method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

According to a ninth aspect, a communications device is provided. The communications device includes a processor and a transceiver, and optionally, further includes a memory. The processor communicates with the transceiver and the memory through an internal connection. The processor is configured to perform the method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. The transceiver is controlled by the processor, and is configured to perform the method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. The memory is configured to store instructions. The instructions are invoked by the processor to perform the method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

According to a tenth aspect, a communications device is provided. The communications device includes a processor and a transceiver, and optionally, further includes a memory. The processor communicates with the transceiver and the memory through an internal connection. The processor is configured to perform the method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The transceiver is controlled by the processor, and is configured to perform the method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The memory is configured to store instructions. The instructions are invoked by the processor to perform the method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

According to an eleventh aspect, a communications device is provided. The communications device includes a processor and a transceiver, and optionally, further includes a memory. The processor communicates with the transceiver and the memory through an internal connection. The processor is configured to perform the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. The transceiver is controlled by the processor, and is configured to perform the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. The memory is configured to store instructions. The instructions are invoked by the processor to perform the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

According to a twelfth aspect, a communications device is provided. The communications device includes a processor and a transceiver, and optionally, further includes a memory. The processor communicates with the transceiver and the memory through an internal connection. The processor is configured to perform the method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. The transceiver is controlled by the processor, and is configured to perform the method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. The memory is configured to store instructions. The instructions are invoked by the processor to perform the method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

According to a thirteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program. The computer program includes instructions used to perform the method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

According to a fourteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program. The computer program includes instructions used to perform the method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

According to a fifteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program. The computer program includes instructions used to perform the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

According to a sixteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program. The computer program includes instructions used to perform the method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

According to a seventeenth aspect, a computer program is provided. The computer program includes instructions used to perform the method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

According to an eighteenth aspect, a computer program is provided. The computer program includes instructions used to perform the method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

According to a nineteenth aspect, a computer program is provided. The computer program includes instructions used to perform the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

According to a twentieth aspect, a computer program is provided. The computer program includes instructions used to perform the method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

According to a twenty-first aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processing circuit and a transceiver pin, and optionally, further includes a memory. The processing circuit communicates with the transceiver pin and the memory through an internal connection. The processing circuit is configured to perform the method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. The transceiver pin is controlled by the processing circuit, and is configured to perform the method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. The memory is configured to store instructions. The instructions are invoked by the processing circuit to perform the method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

According to a twenty-second aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processing circuit and a transceiver pin, and optionally, further includes a memory. The processing circuit communicates with the transceiver pin and the memory through an internal connection. The processing circuit is configured to perform the method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The transceiver pin is controlled by the processing circuit, and is configured to perform the method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The memory is configured to store instructions. The instructions are invoked by the processing circuit to perform the method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

According to a twenty-third aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processing circuit and a transceiver pin, and optionally, further includes a memory. The processing circuit communicates with the transceiver pin and the memory through an internal connection. The processing circuit is configured to perform the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. The transceiver pin is controlled by the processing circuit, and is configured to perform the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. The memory is configured to store instructions. The instructions are invoked by the processing circuit to perform the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processing circuit and a transceiver pin, and optionally, further includes a memory. The processing circuit communicates with the transceiver pin and the memory through an internal connection. The processing circuit is configured to perform the method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. The transceiver pin is controlled by the processing circuit, and is configured to perform the method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. The memory is configured to store instructions. The instructions are invoked by the processing circuit to perform the method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

For technical effects brought by any implementation in the fifth aspect to the twenty-fourth aspect, refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided in the foregoing description. Details are not described herein again.

