The present disclosure relates to reference signal sending methods, signal detection methods, and apparatus. One example method includes determining an initial seed parameter of a pseudo-random sequence, and generating the pseudo-random sequence based on the initial seed parameter, where the initial seed parameter is determined based on attribute information of a terminal device, determining a cyclic shift value based on the pseudo-random sequence, and determining a reference signal based on the cyclic shift value, and sending the reference signal to a network device.