Communication methods and related devices

Abstract

A communication method and related apparatus are disclosed for stimulating a first device to transmit a positioning reference signal, thereby enabling positioning of the first device based on the positioning reference signal to meet positioning requirements of the first device. The method includes: the first device receiving first information from a network device, the first information being used to stimulate the first device to transmit the positioning reference signal; and the first device transmitting the positioning reference signal based on the first information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and more particularly to a communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Passive Internet of Things (PIOT) is a communication system composed of new energy-efficient tag terminals and readers. The reader can remotely read information from the tag terminals. PIOT has low maintenance costs and is characterized by its miniaturized devices. Therefore, PIOT is widely used in manufacturing, logistics, power, and animal husbandry industries. For example, PIOT can be applied in warehousing scenarios. The reader needs to measure the location of the tag terminals to facilitate material retrieval and management of high-value goods, achieving warehouse-level positioning. Specific positioning accuracy requirements are between 2 and 3 meters.

[0003] However, tag terminals have limited signal processing capabilities and cannot implement complex signal processing algorithms. Therefore, their positioning capabilities are restricted, and traditional positioning methods cannot be directly applied to them. For example, tag terminals cannot perform downlink positioning measurements. Therefore, how to locate tag terminals to meet positioning requirements is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus for stimulating a first device to send a positioning reference signal.

[0005] The first aspect of this application provides a communication method, including:

[0006] The first device receives first information from a network device, the first information being used to excite the first device to send a positioning reference signal; the first device sends the positioning reference signal based on the first information.

[0007] In the above technical solution, the first information is used to stimulate the first device to send a positioning reference signal. The first device uses the first information to send the positioning reference signal. The positioning reference signal can be used to locate the first device, thereby meeting the positioning requirements of the first device. For example, the first device may not have the ability to actively send signals, but it can be stimulated to send signals. The network device can use the first information to stimulate the first device to send the positioning reference signal, thus enabling the first device to send the positioning reference signal. For example, the first device may not have complex signal processing capabilities, but it can be stimulated to send signals. The network device can use the first information to stimulate the first device to send the positioning reference signal, which can be used to locate the first device, thereby achieving the positioning of the first device.

[0008] Based on the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the first information includes memory address information of the configuration information for storing positioning reference signals in the first device, or the first information includes the starting memory address information and data length of the configuration information for storing positioning reference signals in the first device.

[0009] In this implementation, the first information also includes the memory address information of the configuration information for the positioning reference signal. This allows the first device to read the configuration information of the positioning reference signal based on the memory address information, in order to generate and send the positioning reference signal. The positioning reference signal can be used to locate the first device, thus facilitating its positioning. Furthermore, it helps prevent the first device from using the same positioning reference signal as other devices, thereby avoiding interference.

[0010] Based on the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the configuration information of the positioning reference signal includes sequence information for generating the positioning reference signal.

[0011] In this implementation, the first device lacks the capability for complex signal processing algorithms. For example, the first device cannot generate a sequence for generating a positioning reference signal. Through the above implementation, the first device can generate and transmit the positioning reference signal based on this sequence information. The positioning reference signal can then be used to locate the first device, thereby achieving its positioning.

[0012] Based on the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the configuration information of the positioning reference signal also includes the frequency domain information of the positioning reference signal. This implementation further defines the frequency domain information of the positioning reference signal, thereby facilitating the correct transmission and reception of the positioning reference signal between the network device and the first device.

[0013] Based on the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the first device sends a positioning reference signal based on the first information, including: the first device reading a sequence for generating the positioning reference signal from a corresponding memory address of the first device based on the first information; the first device generating the positioning reference signal according to the sequence; and the first device sending the positioning reference signal.

[0014] In this implementation, the first device is a low-capability tag terminal. For example, the first device lacks the ability to perform complex signal processing algorithms. The first device cannot generate a sequence for generating a positioning reference signal. Therefore, the first device can store the sequence for generating the positioning reference signal. The first device can directly read this sequence from the corresponding memory address without generating the sequence. Then, the first device generates the positioning reference signal based on the sequence and sends it. The positioning reference signal can be used to locate the first device, thereby achieving the positioning of the first device.

[0015] Based on the first aspect, in one possible implementation, before the first device receives the first information from the network device, the method further includes: the first device receiving configuration information from the network device, the configuration information including configuration information of the positioning reference signal; and the first device writing the configuration information of the positioning reference signal into the corresponding memory address of the first device.

[0016] In this implementation, the first device has a write capability, allowing it to write the configuration information of the positioning reference signal configured by the network device to a corresponding memory address. This facilitates the first device in reading the configuration information of the positioning reference signal from the memory address and generating and sending the positioning reference signal.

[0017] Based on the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the configuration information of the positioning reference signal includes a sequence for generating the positioning reference signal; the configuration information also includes the starting memory address information and data length of the sequence; the first device writes the configuration information of the positioning reference signal into the corresponding memory address of the first device, including: the first device determines the memory address according to the starting memory address information and the data length; the first device writes the sequence into the memory address.

[0018] In this implementation, the first device lacks the capability for complex signal processing algorithms. For example, it cannot generate a sequence for generating a positioning reference signal. Therefore, the configuration information for the positioning reference signal can include a sequence for generating the signal. The first device can then determine the corresponding memory address based on the sequence's starting memory address and data length, and write the sequence into that memory address. This facilitates the first device reading the sequence from the memory address and generating and sending the positioning reference signal. The positioning reference signal can then be used to locate the first device, thereby achieving its positioning.

[0019] Based on the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first device sending a reply message to the network device, the reply message indicating that the configuration information of the positioning reference signal has been successfully written to the memory address. In this implementation, the network device can confirm through the reply message that the configuration information of the positioning reference signal has been successfully written to the memory address. This facilitates the network device incentivizing the first device to send the positioning reference signal.

[0020] Based on the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first device sending second information to the core network device or the positioning device, the second information including at least one of the following: the tag type and positioning capability information of the first device. In this implementation, the first device can report the second information, thereby facilitating the positioning device to request the network device to configure a suitable positioning reference signal for the first device based on the second information, and to use a suitable method to incentivize the first device to send the positioning reference signal.

[0021] Based on the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the tag type is a passive tag terminal, a semi-passive tag terminal, or an active tag terminal. This implementation illustrates several possible implementations of the tag type, thereby facilitating the positioning device to request the configuration of a suitable positioning reference signal for the first device and to incentivize the first device to send the positioning reference signal in an appropriate manner. For example, if the first device is an active tag terminal, it can actively send signals; therefore, the network device can send the first information once, thereby incentivizing the first device to send multiple positioning reference signals. For example, if the first device is a passive tag terminal or a semi-passive tag terminal, the network device can send the first information multiple times to incentivize the first device to send multiple positioning reference signals.

[0022] Based on the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the positioning capability information includes at least one of the following: whether it supports positioning capability, and the ability to transmit positioning reference signals. This allows the positioning device to determine whether the first device supports positioning, etc., through this positioning capability information.

[0023] A second aspect of this application provides a communication method, comprising:

[0024] The network device determines first information, which is used to stimulate the first device to send a positioning reference signal; the network device sends the first information to the first device.

[0025] In the above technical solution, the first information is used to stimulate the first device to send a positioning reference signal. The first device sends the positioning reference signal through the first information. The positioning reference signal can be used to locate the first device, thereby facilitating the positioning of the first device and meeting the positioning requirements. For example, the first device may not have the ability to actively send signals, but it can be stimulated to send signals. The network device can stimulate the first device to send the positioning reference signal through the first information, enabling the first device to send the positioning reference signal. For example, the first device may not have complex signal processing capabilities, but it can be stimulated to send signals. The network device can stimulate the first device to send the positioning reference signal through the first information, thereby enabling the first device to send the positioning reference signal. The positioning reference signal can be used to locate the first device, thereby achieving the positioning of the first device.

[0026] Based on the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first information includes memory address information of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal stored in the first device, or the first information includes the starting memory address information and data length of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal stored in the first device, wherein the starting memory address information and data length are used to determine the memory address of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal.

[0027] In this implementation, the first information also includes the memory address information of the configuration information for the positioning reference signal. This allows the first device to read the configuration information of the positioning reference signal based on the memory address information, in order to generate and send the positioning reference signal. The positioning reference signal can be used to locate the first device, thus facilitating its positioning. Furthermore, it helps prevent the first device from using the same positioning reference signal as other devices, thereby avoiding interference.

[0028] Based on the second aspect, in one possible implementation, before the network device sends the first information to the first device, the method further includes: the network device sending configuration information to the first device, the configuration information including configuration information of the positioning reference signal.

[0029] In this implementation, the first device has a write capability, allowing it to write the configuration information of the positioning reference signal configured by the network device to a corresponding memory address. This facilitates the first device reading the configuration information of the positioning reference signal from the memory address and generating and sending the positioning reference signal. The positioning reference signal can then be used to locate the first device, thereby achieving device positioning.

[0030] Based on the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the configuration information of the positioning reference signal includes a sequence for generating the positioning reference signal; the configuration information also includes memory address information of the sequence; or, the configuration information includes the starting memory address information and data length of the sequence, the starting memory address information and data length being used to determine the memory address for storing the sequence.

[0031] In this implementation, the first device lacks the capability for complex signal processing algorithms. For example, it cannot generate a sequence for generating a positioning reference signal. Therefore, the configuration information for the positioning reference signal may include a sequence for generating the signal. This configuration information includes the sequence's starting memory address and data length, which determine the memory address where the sequence is stored. This facilitates the first device reading the sequence from the memory address and generating and transmitting the positioning reference signal.

[0032] Based on the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: the network device receiving a response message from the first device, the response message indicating that the configuration information of the positioning reference signal has been successfully written to the corresponding memory address. In this implementation, the network device can confirm through the response message that the configuration information of the positioning reference signal has been successfully written to the memory address. This facilitates the network device incentivizing the first device to send the positioning reference signal.

[0033] Based on the second aspect, in one possible implementation, before the network device sends configuration information to the first device, the method further includes: the network device receiving a first request from a positioning device, the first request being used to request the network device to configure a positioning reference signal for the first device, the first request including an identifier of the first device; the network device sending a first response to the positioning device, the first response including configuration information of the positioning reference signal.

[0034] In this implementation, the network device can also receive a first request from the positioning device, thereby enabling the network device to configure positioning reference signal configuration information for the first device. The identifier of the first device is used to identify it, thus enabling the network device to configure positioning reference signal configuration information for the first device. Furthermore, the network device can also send a first response to the positioning device, carrying the positioning reference signal configuration information in the first response, thereby facilitating the positioning device to request other network devices to locate the first device. This helps improve positioning accuracy.

[0035] Based on the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the identifier of the first device includes the electronic product code (EPC) or terminal ID (TID) of the first device. This facilitates the identification of the first device by network devices.

[0036] Based on the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first request also includes the type of the first device, which is a tag terminal.

[0037] In this implementation, the network device can identify the first device as a tag terminal. The network device can configure appropriate location reference signal configuration information for the first device. The tag terminal is a low-capability terminal. For example, it lacks the ability to perform complex signal processing algorithms and cannot generate sequences independently. Therefore, the network device can configure a sequence for generating the location reference signal for the first device, facilitating the first device to generate and transmit the location reference signal based on this sequence. The location reference signal can then be used to locate the first device, thereby achieving its location. Furthermore, since tag terminals typically require activation to transmit signals, the network device can activate the tag terminal to transmit the location reference signal using the first information, thus enabling the first device to transmit the location reference signal.

[0038] Based on the second aspect, in one possible implementation, before the network device sends the first information to the first device, the method further includes: the network device receiving a second request from the positioning device, the second request being used to request the network device to incentivize the first device to send a positioning reference signal, the second request also including information on the positioning incentivization period or information on the number of positioning incentivizations, the information on the positioning incentivization period indicating the period during which the network device incentivizes the first device to send the positioning reference signal, and the information on the number of positioning incentivizations indicating the number of times the network device incentivizes the first device to send the positioning reference signal.

[0039] In this implementation, the second request also includes a positioning excitation period or a number of positioning excitations. This facilitates the network device sending first information to the first device according to the information of the positioning excitation period or the number of positioning excitations. Enabling the network device to excite the first device to send positioning reference signals multiple times helps improve the positioning accuracy of the first device.

[0040] Based on the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the network device sends first information to the first device, including: the network device sending the first information to the first device according to information about the positioning excitation cycle or information about the number of positioning excitations. Enabling the network device to excite the first device to send positioning reference signals multiple times is beneficial for improving the positioning accuracy of the first device.

[0041] Based on the second aspect, in one possible implementation, before the network device determines the first information, the method further includes: the network device sending indication information to the positioning device. The indication information is used to indicate that the network device supports the function of communicating with the tag terminal, or to indicate that the network device has an excitation function, or to indicate that the network device has the function of exciting the tag terminal to send a positioning reference signal. This facilitates the positioning device in selecting a suitable network device to communicate with the first device and achieve positioning of the first device.

[0042] Based on the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: the network device measuring the positioning reference signal to obtain the measurement result; and the network device sending the measurement result to the positioning device. This enables the positioning device to locate the first device based on the measurement result.

[0043] A third aspect of this application provides a communication method, comprising:

[0044] The positioning device sends a first request to the network device, the first request being used to request the network device to configure a positioning reference signal for the first device, the first request including the identifier of the first device; the positioning device receives a first response from the network device, the first response including configuration information of the positioning reference signal configured by the network device for the first device.

[0045] In the above technical solution, the positioning device sends a first request to the network device, the first request including an identifier of the first device. This identifier is used to identify the first device. This allows the network device to configure positioning reference signal configuration information for the first device. Furthermore, the network device can also send a first response to the positioning device, carrying the positioning reference signal configuration information in the first response, thereby facilitating the positioning device to request other network devices to locate the first device. This helps improve positioning accuracy.

[0046] Based on the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the identifier of the first device includes the EPC code or TID of the first device. This facilitates the network device's identification of the first device.

[0047] Based on the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the first request also includes the type of the first device, which is a tag terminal.

[0048] In this implementation, it is advantageous for the network device to configure appropriate positioning reference signal configuration information for the first device based on the first request. The tag terminal is a low-capability terminal; for example, it lacks the ability to perform complex signal processing algorithms. The tag terminal cannot generate sequences on its own. Therefore, the network device can configure a sequence for generating the positioning reference signal for the first device, thereby facilitating the first device to generate and transmit the positioning reference signal based on this sequence, thus achieving positioning of the first device. On the other hand, since the tag terminal typically needs to be activated before it can transmit a signal, the network device can activate the tag terminal to transmit the positioning reference signal through the first information, thereby enabling the first device to transmit the positioning reference signal.

[0049] Based on the third aspect, in one possible implementation, before the positioning device sends the first request to the network device, the method further includes: the positioning device receiving second information from the core network device or the first device, the second information including at least one of the following: the tag type of the first device, positioning capability information. This facilitates the positioning device requesting the network device to configure a suitable positioning reference signal for the first device based on the second information, and to use an appropriate method to incentivize the first device to send the positioning reference signal.

[0050] Based on the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the tag type is a passive tag terminal, a semi-passive tag terminal, or an active tag terminal.

[0051] This implementation illustrates several possible implementations of the tag type, facilitating the positioning device's request for the first device to configure a suitable positioning reference signal and to incentivize the first device to send the positioning reference signal in an appropriate manner. For example, if the first device is an active tag terminal, it can actively send signals, thus allowing the network device to send the first information once, thereby incentivizing the first device to send multiple positioning reference signals. Alternatively, if the first device is a passive or semi-passive tag terminal, the network device can send the first information multiple times to incentivize the first device to send multiple positioning reference signals.

[0052] Based on the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the positioning capability information includes at least one of the following: whether it supports positioning capability, and the ability to transmit positioning reference signals. This allows the positioning device to determine whether the first device supports positioning, etc., through this positioning capability information.

[0053] Based on the third aspect, in one possible implementation, before the positioning device sends the first request to the network device, the method further includes: the positioning device receiving indication information from the network device, wherein the indication information is used to indicate that the network device supports the function of communicating with the tag terminal, or to indicate that the network device has an excitation function, or to indicate that the network device has the function of exciting the tag terminal to send a positioning reference signal. This facilitates the positioning device in selecting a suitable network device for communicating with the first device, thereby achieving positioning of the first device.

[0054] Based on the third aspect, in one possible implementation, after the positioning device receives the first response from the network device, the method further includes: the positioning device sending a second request to the network device. The second request requests the network device to incentivize the first device to send a positioning reference signal. The second request also includes information about the positioning incentivization period or the number of incentivization attempts. The positioning incentivization period indicates the period during which the network device incentivizes the first device to send the positioning reference signal, and the number of incentivization attempts indicates the number of times the network device incentivizes the first device to send the positioning reference signal. This enables the network device to incentivize the first device to send the positioning reference signal, thereby achieving positioning of the first device. Furthermore, after receiving the second request, the network device can incentivize the first device to send the positioning reference signal multiple times according to the positioning incentivization period or the number of incentivization attempts, which helps improve the positioning accuracy of the first device.

[0055] Based on the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: the positioning device receiving measurement results from the network device; and the positioning device locating the first device based on the measurement results.

[0056] A fourth aspect of this application provides a first device, comprising:

[0057] The transceiver module is used to receive first information from the network device, which is used to excite the first device to send a positioning reference signal; and to send the positioning reference signal based on the first information.

[0058] Based on the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first information includes memory address information of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal stored in the first device, or the first information includes the starting memory address information and data length of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal stored in the first device.

[0059] Based on the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the configuration information of the positioning reference signal includes sequence information for generating the positioning reference signal.

[0060] Based on the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the configuration information of the positioning reference signal also includes the frequency domain information of the positioning reference signal.

[0061] Based on the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module is specifically used for:

[0062] Based on the first information, read the sequence for generating the positioning reference signal from the corresponding memory address of the first device; generate the positioning reference signal according to the sequence; and send the positioning reference signal.

[0063] Based on the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to: receive configuration information from the network device, the configuration information including configuration information of the positioning reference signal;

[0064] The first device also includes a processing module; the processing module is used to write the configuration information of the positioning reference signal into the corresponding memory address of the first device.

[0065] Based on the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the configuration information of the positioning reference signal includes a sequence for generating the positioning reference signal; the configuration information also includes the starting memory address information and data length of the sequence; the processing module is specifically used to: determine the memory address according to the starting memory address information and data length; and write the sequence into the memory address.

[0066] Based on the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to: send a reply message to the network device, the reply message indicating that the configuration information of the positioning reference signal has been successfully written to the memory address.

[0067] Based on the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to: send second information to the core network device or the positioning device, the second information including at least one of the following: the tag type and positioning capability information of the first device.

[0068] Based on the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the tag type is a passive tag terminal, a semi-passive tag terminal, or an active tag terminal.

[0069] Based on the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the positioning capability information includes at least one of the following: whether it supports positioning capability, and the ability to transmit positioning reference signals.

[0070] The fifth aspect of this application provides a communication device, comprising:

[0071] The processing module is used to determine the first information, which is used to excite the first device to send a positioning reference signal;

[0072] The transceiver module is used to send the first information to the first device.

[0073] Based on the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first information includes memory address information of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal stored in the first device, or the first information includes the starting memory address information and data length of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal stored in the first device, wherein the starting memory address information and data length are used to determine the memory address of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal.

[0074] Based on the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to: send configuration information to the first device, the configuration information including configuration information of the positioning reference signal.

[0075] Based on the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the configuration information of the positioning reference signal includes a sequence for generating the positioning reference signal; the configuration information also includes memory address information of the sequence; or, the configuration information includes the starting memory address information and data length of the sequence, the starting memory address information and data length being used to determine the memory address for storing the sequence.

[0076] Based on the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to: receive a reply message from the first device, the reply message indicating that the configuration information of the positioning reference signal has been successfully written to the corresponding memory address.

[0077] Based on the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to: receive a first request from the positioning device, the first request being used to request the communication device to configure a positioning reference signal for the first device, the first request including the identifier of the first device; and send a first response to the positioning device, the first response including configuration information of the positioning reference signal.

[0078] Based on the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first request further includes the type of the first device, which is a tag terminal.

[0079] Based on the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to: receive a second request from the positioning device, the second request being used to request the communication device to excite the first device to send a positioning reference signal, the second request also including information on the positioning excitation period or information on the number of positioning excitations, the information on the positioning excitation period indicating the period during which the communication device excites the first device to send the positioning reference signal, and the information on the number of positioning excitations indicating the number of times the communication device excites the first device to send the positioning reference signal.

[0080] Based on the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module is specifically used to: send first information to the first device according to the information of the positioning excitation cycle or the information of the number of positioning excitations.

[0081] Based on the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to: send indication information to the positioning device, the indication information being used to indicate that the communication device supports the function of communicating with the tag terminal, or to indicate that the communication device has an excitation function, or to indicate that the communication device has the function of exciting the tag terminal to send a positioning reference signal.

[0082] Based on the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a processing module;

[0083] The processing module is used to measure the positioning reference signal to obtain the measurement result;

[0084] The transceiver module is also used to send measurement results to the positioning device.

[0085] A sixth aspect of this application provides a communication device, comprising:

[0086] The transceiver module is used to send a first request to the network device, the first request being used to request the network device to configure a positioning reference signal for the first device, the first request including the identifier of the first device; and to receive a first response from the network device, the first response including configuration information of the positioning reference signal configured by the network device for the first device.

[0087] Based on the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first request further includes the type of the first device, which is a tag terminal.

[0088] Based on the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used for:

[0089] Receive second information from core network equipment or first device, the second information including at least one of the following: tag type and positioning capability information of the first device.

[0090] Based on the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the tag type is a passive tag terminal, a semi-passive tag terminal, or an active tag terminal.

[0091] Based on the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the positioning capability information includes at least one of the following: whether it supports positioning capability, and the ability to transmit positioning reference signals.

[0092] Based on the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used for:

[0093] Receive instruction information from network devices. The instruction information is used to indicate that the network devices support the function of communicating with the tag terminal, or to indicate that the network devices have an excitation function, or to indicate that the network devices have the function of exciting the tag terminal to send a positioning reference signal.

[0094] Based on the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used for:

[0095] A second request is sent to the network device. The second request is used to request the network device to incentivize the first device to send a positioning reference signal. The second request also includes information on the positioning incentivization period or the number of positioning incentivization events. The positioning incentivization period indicates the period during which the network device incentivizes the first device to send the positioning reference signal, and the number of positioning incentivization events indicates the number of times the network device incentivizes the first device to send the positioning reference signal.

[0096] Based on the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used for:

[0097] Receive measurement results from network devices;

[0098] The communication device also includes a processing module;

[0099] The processing module is used to locate the first device based on the measurement results.

[0100] A seventh aspect of this application provides a first apparatus comprising a processor configured to invoke a computer program or computer instructions in memory, such that the processor is configured to execute any of the implementations described in the first aspect.

[0101] Optionally, the first device further includes a transceiver, the processor being configured to control the transceiver to perform any of the implementations described in the first aspect.

[0102] Optionally, the processor is integrated with the memory.

[0103] An eighth aspect of this application provides a communication device including a processor. The processor is configured to invoke a stored computer program or computer instructions, causing the processor to implement any of the implementations described in the first or second aspect.

[0104] Optionally, the communication device further includes a transceiver, the processor being used to control the transceiver to perform any of the implementations of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0105] Optionally, the communication device includes a memory, and the processor is integrated with the memory.

[0106] The ninth aspect of this application provides a computer program product including computer instructions, characterized in that, when run on a computer, it causes the computer to execute any one of the implementations of the first to third aspects.

[0107] The tenth aspect of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium including computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform any of the implementations of the first to third aspects.

[0108] The eleventh aspect of this application provides a chip device, including a processor for calling a computer program or computer instructions in memory to cause the processor to execute any one of the implementations of the first to third aspects described above.

[0109] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0110] The twelfth aspect of this application provides a communication system comprising a first device as shown in the first aspect and a network device as shown in the second aspect.

[0111] Optionally, the communication system may also include a positioning device as shown in the third aspect.

[0112] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, the embodiments of this application have the following advantages:

[0113] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the first device receives first information from the network device. This first information is used to stimulate the first device to send a positioning reference signal. Then, the first device sends the positioning reference signal based on the first information. Therefore, the first information is used to stimulate the first device to send a positioning reference signal. The first device uses the first information to send the positioning reference signal. The positioning reference signal can be used to locate the first device, thereby achieving the positioning of the first device and meeting the positioning requirements. For example, the first device may not have the ability to actively send signals, but it can be stimulated to send signals. The network device can stimulate the first device to send the positioning reference signal through the first information, thus enabling the first device to send the positioning reference signal. For example, the first device may not have complex signal processing capabilities, but it can be stimulated to send signals. The network device can stimulate the first device to send the positioning reference signal through the first information, thus enabling the first device to send the positioning reference signal. Attached Figure Description

[0114] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0115] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the next generation node B (gNB) in an embodiment of this application;

[0116] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the memory of the tag terminal in an embodiment of this application;

[0117] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a tag storage terminal for a reader / writer according to an embodiment of this application;

[0118] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the communication method of this application;

[0119] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the communication method of this application;

[0120] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0121] Figure 8 This is a first structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0122] Figure 9 This is a second structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0123] Figure 10 This is another structural schematic diagram of the first device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0124] Figure 11 This is a third structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0125] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus for stimulating a first device to send a positioning reference signal, thereby enabling the positioning of the first device based on the positioning reference signal and meeting the positioning requirements of the first device.

[0126] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0127] The term "and / or" appearing in this application can describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent three cases: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this application generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0128] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application. The communication system includes a tag terminal 101 and an access network device 102. Optionally, the communication system also includes a positioning device 103 and a core network device 104.

[0129] Access network device 102 is a base station with an integrated reader / writer, supporting communication with tag terminal 101. Please refer to the relevant introduction below for information about the tag terminal.

[0130] The positioning device 103 is used to perform positioning calculations and management on the tag terminal 101. For example, the positioning device 103 can be a location management function (LMF).

[0131] The core network device 104 acts as a router for communication between the access network device 102 and the positioning device 103. The core network device 104 is used for access control, registration management, service management, and mobility management of the tag terminal 101 accessing the network. For example, the core network device may be an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0132] The above Figure 1 This is merely an example of a communication system including access network device 102. In practical applications, the communication system may include more access network devices, and this application does not limit the specifics.

[0133] It should be noted that the AMF is responsible for access control, registration management, service management, and mobility management of the tag terminal accessing the network. The name of the AMF may change as the communication system evolves. In current or future communication systems, any functional network element with a similar name to the AMF can be understood as the AMF of this application. Furthermore, it is applicable to the communication methods provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0134] In this application, LMF is the name used in the current communication system. In future communication systems, the name of the LMF may change as the communication system evolves. Therefore, the LMF will be referred to as a positioning device in the following description of the technical solution of this application. This positioning device is used to calculate the location of a tag terminal. In the current or future communication system, any functional network element with a similar function to this positioning device can be understood as the positioning device in this application, and it is applicable to the communication method provided in this application.

[0135] The communication system provided in this application includes a first device and network equipment. Optionally, the communication system may also include core network equipment and positioning equipment.

[0136] In this application, the first device is a low-capacity device. For example, the first device cannot perform complex signal processing algorithms, and it cannot generate a sequence for generating positioning reference signals. The first device may also be called a tag terminal, or other names, which are not limited in this application. The following describes some functions of the first device using a tag terminal as an example.

[0137] The tag terminal has reading capabilities, enabling it to read corresponding data or information from its memory address. The tag terminal can also be activated to send positioning reference signals.

[0138] Optionally, the tag terminal may also possess at least one of the following capabilities: write capability, counting capability, timing capability, or the ability to actively transmit signals. Write capability refers to the tag terminal's ability to write data or information into its memory. Counting capability refers to the tag terminal's ability to perform counting. Timing capability refers to the tag terminal's ability to perform timing. The ability to actively transmit signals refers to the tag terminal's ability to actively generate a corresponding carrier wave for transmitting signals.

[0139] Optionally, the tag terminal may include a passive tag terminal, a semi-passive tag terminal, or an active tag terminal.

[0140] Passive tag terminals are powered by receiving signals. For example, a passive tag terminal receives electromagnetic waves and converts them into electrical energy to power the passive tag. Passive tag terminals do not support signal amplification and support power consumption in the microwatt (µW) range. Passive tag terminals cannot actively transmit signals; they can only transmit signals after being activated. In other words, passive tag terminals cannot actively generate carrier waves to carry the signal to be transmitted.

[0141] Semi-passive tag terminals can be powered by solar energy or other sources. They can amplify transmitted signals and support power consumption in the hundreds of microwatts range. For example, a semi-passive tag terminal supports power consumption in the 100µW range. Semi-passive tag terminals cannot actively transmit signals; they can only transmit signals after being activated. In other words, semi-passive tag terminals cannot actively generate carrier waves to carry the signals to be transmitted.

[0142] Active tag terminals can be powered by solar energy or batteries. They can amplify transmitted signals and support power consumption in the hundreds of microwatts range. For example, an active tag terminal can support power consumption in the 500µW range and actively transmit signals. In other words, an active tag terminal can actively generate a carrier wave to carry the signal to be transmitted.

[0143] Tag terminals include handheld devices, in-vehicle devices, or wearable devices with wireless communication capabilities. Currently, some examples of tag terminals include: virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in telemedicine, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes. It should be noted that tag terminals can also be the devices or apparatuses shown above, or components (e.g., chips), modules, or units within the devices or apparatuses shown above; this application does not impose specific limitations.

[0144] The network device is a reader, or a device that integrates a reader. This network device supports communication with tag terminals. For example, it has inventory and activation functions; that is, it supports inventorying the tag terminals. For detailed inventory procedures, please refer to [link to documentation]. Figure 4 The illustrated process is described below. The network device supports stimulating the tag terminal to send signals. This network device also has the function of reading data or information from the tag terminal, and it also supports writing data or information to the tag terminal. For example, the network device writes configuration information for the positioning reference signal to the tag terminal.

[0145] Optionally, the network equipment can be access network equipment or core network equipment. Access network equipment is a device deployed in a radio access network to provide wireless communication functions for tagged terminals. For example, access network equipment includes base stations. Base stations include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), relay stations, access points (APs), wearable devices, vehicle-mounted equipment, etc. Base stations can also include transmission and reception points (TRPs), transmission measurement functions (TMFs), etc. For example, the base station involved in this application can be a base station in a new radio (NR) system. Specifically, a base station in 5G NR can also include a transmission and reception point (TRP), a transmission point (TP), a gNB, an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in a long-term evolution (LTE) system, or a base station or node in a future communication system. For example, a base station in a 6G communication system.

[0146] It should be noted that the network device may also be the device or apparatus shown above, or a component, module or unit of the device or apparatus shown above, and this application does not limit the specific. For example, the network device may be one or more modules of the device shown above.

[0147] Core network equipment is responsible for access control, registration management, service management, and mobility management of tag terminals accessing the network. For example, the core network equipment is the AMF (Active Network Controller).

[0148] Positioning devices are used to calculate and manage the location of tag terminals. For example, a positioning device is an LMF (Location-Based Matrix).

[0149] The above is introduced below. Figure 1 This describes one possible architecture for access network equipment. The example used here is a gNB (gNB). The same principles apply to other types of access network equipment.

[0150] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of this application. Taking a gNB as an example, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 2In 5G communication systems, gNBs connect to each other via the Xn interface, and gNBs connect to the 5th generation mobile communication technology core (5GC) via the NG interface. Figure 2 As shown, gNB1 and gNB2 are connected via the Xn interface. gNB1 is connected to 5GC via NG interface 1, and gNB2 is connected to 5GC via NG interface 2.

[0151] A gNB can include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). This means the functions of the base station are divided, with some functions deployed in a gNB-CU and the remaining functions deployed in a gNB-DU. Multiple gNB-DUs share a single gNB-CU, which saves costs and facilitates network expansion. For example, ... Figure 2 As shown, gNB1 includes gNB-CU1, gNB-DU1, and gNB-DU2. gNB-CU1 is connected to gNB-DU1 via F1 interface 1 and to gNB-DU2 via F1 interface 2. The structure of gNB2 is similar to that of gNB1, and will not be described in detail here.

[0152] The above Figure 2 This is merely an example; one gNB-CU can connect to one or more gNB-DUs, and this application does not limit the specifics.

[0153] The gNB-CU and gNB-DU can be segmented according to the protocol stack. For example, the radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer protocol stacks can be deployed on the gNB-CU. The radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layer protocol stacks can be deployed on the gNB-DU. The gNB-CU and gNB-DU are connected via the F1 interface. The above example is only for illustrating gNB-CU and gNB-DU, and this application does not limit the protocol stacks deployed on gNB-CU and gNB-DU.

[0154] In this application, in the scheme of using CU and DU structure for access network equipment as described below, gNB-CU is abbreviated as CU and gNB-DU is abbreviated as DU.

[0155] The memory of the tag terminal is described below.

[0156] The tag terminal's memory is logically divided into four storage areas. Specifically, the tag terminal's memory, in ascending order of logical address, is divided into: reserved storage area, EPC storage area, TID storage area, and user storage area. Each storage area contains at least one memory word. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the user area storage area is a custom area defined by the user of the tag terminal according to their own application needs, and there is no specified format for the content in this area.

[0157] The TID storage area starts at logical address 00h. The region starting with the first byte in this TID storage area is typically used to store the serial number of the tag terminal. In "00h", "00" represents the logical address and "h" represents hexadecimal.

[0158] The EPC storage area is used to distinguish tag terminals from other tag terminals when they are stored on disk. According to the protocol, the first byte of this EPC storage area stores a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC-16). This byte cannot be modified. Specifically, the tag terminal calculates the CRC-16 value using its Protocol Controller (PC) and the EPC code, and then writes it into the first byte of the EPC storage area. The second byte of the EPC storage area stores the tag terminal's PC. The high five bits (bits 10h to 14h) of this second byte are used to calculate the length of the tag terminal's EPC code. 00000 represents an EPC length of 0 bytes, and 11111 represents an EPC length of 63 bytes. The EPC storage area begins storing the tag terminal's EPC code from the third byte. Based on the protocol's method for calculating the EPC code length, the maximum EPC code is 63 bytes, plus the PC and CRC-16 information. Therefore, the maximum storage capacity of the EPC storage area is 65 bytes.

[0159] The reserved storage area is the first logical storage area of ​​the tag terminal, which mainly stores the 32-bit password required for accessing the tag terminal, namely the password for the deactivation command and the password for the lock command.

[0160] The following is combined Figure 4 This section describes the process of storing tags in the reader / writer terminal.

[0161] 401. The reader sends a selection command. This selection command includes the mask of the tag terminal selected by the reader.

[0162] Specifically, the reader broadcasts a selection command. After receiving the selection command, the tag terminal checks if the mask carried in the command contains its own mask. If it does, the tag terminal is selected. The tag terminal then changes its inventory flag. For example, the tag terminal can set its inventory flag to 0.

[0163] 402. The reader sends a query command to agree on the data rate, encoding method, etc., for the data to be stored. After receiving the query command, the tag terminal resets its time slot counter, specifically to a random number.

[0164] 403. The reader sends a QueryRep command.

[0165] Specifically, each time the tag terminal receives a repetitive inventory command from the reader, the time slot counter is decremented by one. When the time slot counter equals 0, the following 404 error is executed.

[0166] 404. The tag terminal sends a 16-bit random number (RN16) to the reader.

[0167] 405. After receiving the RN16, the reader sends an acknowledgment character (ACK) to the tag terminal.

[0168] 406. The tag terminal sends its EPC code to the reader.

[0169] Accordingly, the reader reads the EPC code. Then, the tag terminal exits the current inventory process and waits to be selected again.

[0170] Passive Internet of Things (PIOT) is a communication system composed of new energy-efficient tag terminals and readers. The reader can remotely read information from the tag terminals. PIOT has low maintenance costs and is characterized by its miniaturized devices. Therefore, PIOT is widely used in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, power, and animal husbandry. For example, PIOT can be applied in warehousing scenarios. The reader needs to measure the location of the tag terminals to facilitate material retrieval and management of high-value goods, achieving warehouse-level positioning. Specific positioning accuracy requirements are between 2 and 3 meters.

[0171] However, tag terminals have limited signal processing capabilities and cannot implement complex signal processing algorithms. Therefore, their positioning capabilities are restricted, and traditional positioning methods cannot be directly applied to them. For example, tag terminals cannot perform downlink positioning measurements. Therefore, how to locate tag terminals to meet positioning requirements is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0172] The technical solution of this application is described below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0173] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the communication method described in this application. Please refer to... Figure 5 The methods include:

[0174] 501. The network device sends first information to the first device. The first information is used to stimulate the first device to send a positioning reference signal. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first information from the network device.

[0175] Here, "excitation" can be understood as "instruction" or "trigger." In other words, the first information is used to instruct or trigger the first device to send a positioning reference signal.

[0176] Optionally, the first information includes an excitation operation used to excite the first device to send a positioning reference signal. The excitation operation can be a newly defined operation type used to excite the first device to send a signal.

[0177] In one possible implementation, the first information includes memory address information of the configuration information for storing positioning reference signals in the first device, or the first information includes the starting memory address information and data length of the configuration information for storing positioning reference signals in the first device.

[0178] For example, the memory address information storing the configuration information of the positioning reference signal in the first device includes the memory address where the configuration information of the positioning reference signal is stored in the first device; or, it includes a first offset of the memory address relative to a default memory address. The first device can determine the memory address using the default memory address and the first offset.

[0179] For example, the starting memory address information may include the starting memory address of the configuration information storing the positioning reference signal in the first device, or it may include a second offset of the starting memory address relative to a default memory address. The first device may determine the starting memory address using the default memory address and the second offset.

[0180] Optionally, the configuration information for the positioning reference signal includes sequence information used to generate the positioning reference signal.

[0181] For example, the configuration information may include a sequence for generating a positioning reference signal, or it may include an identifier for the sequence for generating the positioning reference signal. Specifically, the first device may have multiple sequences pre-configured. The first device can then determine the sequence for generating the positioning reference signal from the multiple sequences based on the identifier.

[0182] The first device lacks the capability for complex signal processing algorithms. For example, it cannot generate sequences autonomously. Therefore, when configuring a positioning reference signal for the first device, the network device can configure a sequence for generating the positioning reference signal. This facilitates the first device in generating the positioning reference signal based on that sequence.

[0183] Furthermore, optionally, the configuration information of the positioning reference signal may include at least one of the following: frequency domain information of the positioning reference signal. For example, the first information may also include memory address information in the first device that stores the frequency domain information.

[0184] In another possible implementation, the memory address of the positioning reference signal's configuration information is a default address between the first device and the network device. That is, the first device defaults to using the configuration information of the positioning reference signal at a certain memory address to determine the positioning reference signal.

[0185] In another possible implementation, the configuration information of the positioning reference signal is determined by the first device itself from its memory. For example, the first device's memory stores configuration information for multiple positioning reference signals. The first device selects the configuration information of one of the positioning reference signals to determine that positioning reference signal.

[0186] It should be noted that, optionally, the positioning reference signal can be a sounding reference signal (SRS) or a newly defined positioning reference signal; this application does not impose any specific limitations on it.

[0187] Please refer to the previous section for the form of the first device and network equipment.

[0188] Optionally, the network device may send the first information to the first device via MAC CE, DCI, or RRC messages.

[0189] Optionally, the network device is an access network device, which adopts the method described above. Figure 2The diagram shows a separate CU and DU architecture. Therefore, step 501 above can be performed by either the CU or the DU. For example, the DU sends the first information to the first device via a Media Access Control Element (MAC CE) or Downlink Control Information (DCI). Conversely, the CU sends the first information to the first device via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message.

[0190] Optionally, the first information also includes an identifier for the first device. This identifier may include the first device's EPC code or its TID. The identifier is used by the first device to determine whether the network device is stimulating it to send a positioning reference signal.

[0191] 502. The first device sends a positioning reference signal based on the first information.

[0192] Step 502 above will be described below in conjunction with steps a to c. Optionally, step 502 specifically includes steps a to c.

[0193] Step a: The first device reads the sequence used to generate the positioning reference signal from the corresponding memory address of the first device based on the first information.

[0194] The following describes several possible ways to implement step a.

[0195] Implementation method 1: The first information includes the memory address information of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal stored in the first device, or the first information includes the starting memory address information and data length of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal stored in the first device.

[0196] The first device determines the memory address of the configuration information for the positioning reference signal using the first information. Then, the first device reads the configuration information for the positioning reference signal from that memory address. The configuration information for the positioning reference signal includes a sequence used to generate the positioning reference signal.

[0197] Implementation Method 2: The memory address of the positioning reference signal's configuration information is the default address between the first device and the network device. That is, the first device uses the positioning reference signal's configuration information from the default memory address to determine the positioning reference signal.

[0198] In this implementation, the first device reads the configuration information of the positioning reference signal from the default memory address. The configuration information of the positioning reference signal includes a sequence for generating the positioning reference signal.

[0199] Implementation Method 3: The configuration information of the positioning reference signal is determined by the first device itself from its memory. For example, the first device stores the configuration information of multiple positioning reference signals in its memory. The first device selects the configuration information of one of the positioning reference signals from among them.

[0200] In this implementation, the first device reads the configuration information of the positioning reference signal from a memory address determined by the first device. The configuration information of the positioning reference signal includes a sequence for generating the positioning reference signal.

[0201] Step b: The first device generates the positioning reference signal based on the sequence.

[0202] Step c: The first device sends the positioning reference signal.

[0203] Optionally, the configuration information of the positioning reference signal includes its frequency domain information. The first device can transmit the positioning reference signal using this frequency domain information. For example, the frequency domain information may be used to indicate a first frequency band, and the first device may transmit the positioning reference signal using that first frequency band.

[0204] Optional, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment also includes step 501a. Step 501a may be performed before step 501.

[0205] 501a. The network device sends configuration information to the first device. The configuration information includes configuration information for the positioning reference signal. Correspondingly, the first device receives the configuration information from the network device.

[0206] Optionally, the configuration information of the positioning reference signal includes a sequence for generating the positioning reference signal. Further, optionally, the configuration information of the positioning reference signal also includes frequency domain information of the positioning reference signal.

[0207] Optionally, configuration information can be carried in RRC messages, MAC CE, or DCI.

[0208] It should be noted that the network device can determine the configuration information for the first device by combining the sequence used by other devices connected to the network device to generate the positioning device and the frequency domain information used by other devices to send positioning reference signals. This helps to avoid interference between different devices. For example, if other devices use frequency band 1 to send positioning reference signals, the network device can configure the first device to send positioning reference signals using frequency band 2, thereby avoiding interference.

[0209] 501b. The first device writes the configuration information of the positioning reference signal into the corresponding memory address of the first device.

[0210] In one possible implementation, the configuration information further includes the starting memory address information and data length of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal. For example, the starting memory address information includes the starting memory address of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal, or the offset of the starting memory address of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal relative to the default memory address. Optionally, step 501b specifically includes: the first device determining the memory address based on the starting memory address information and the data length, and then writing the configuration information of the positioning reference signal into the memory address.

[0211] For example, the configuration information includes a sequence for generating a positioning reference signal, the starting memory address of the sequence, and the data length. The first device determines the memory address for storing the sequence based on the starting memory address and the data length, and then writes the sequence into that memory address.

[0212] Optional, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment also includes step 501c. Step 501c may be performed after step 501b.

[0213] 501c. The first device sends a reply message to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the reply message from the first device.

[0214] The reply message is used to indicate that the first device has successfully written the configuration information of the positioning reference signal.

[0215] Optionally, the reply message is carried in an RRC message or a MAC CE.

[0216] Optional, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment also includes steps 501d and 501e. Step 501d may be performed before step 501a, and step 501e may be performed after step 501c.

[0217] 501d. The positioning device sends a first request to the network device. The first request is used to request the network device to configure a positioning reference signal for the first device. Accordingly, the network device receives the first request from the positioning device.

[0218] The first request includes an identifier for the first device. The identifier for the first device includes its EPC code or TID. The EPC code or TID of the first device is used by the network device to identify the first device, thereby facilitating the network device in configuring a positioning reference signal for the first device.

[0219] Optionally, the first request may also include first indication information, which is used to instruct the network device to configure a positioning reference signal for the first device.

[0220] Furthermore, optionally, the first request also includes the type of the first device, which is a tag terminal. This facilitates the network device in identifying the first device as a tag terminal and configuring a suitable positioning reference signal for it. For example, if the first device lacks the capability of complex signal processing algorithms, the network device can configure a sequence for generating the positioning reference signal. The first device can then generate the positioning reference signal based on this sequence. This avoids the situation where the first device is unable to generate the sequence independently, preventing it from sending the positioning reference signal and thus hindering its location.

[0221] Furthermore, optionally, the first request may also include a recommended configuration for the positioning reference signal. For example, the recommended configuration may include at least one of the following: information on the number of times the positioning reference signal is transmitted or information on the transmission period, information on the sequence used to generate the positioning reference signal, and frequency domain information of the positioning reference signal.

[0222] Correspondingly, optionally, network devices may refer to the recommended configuration for determining the positioning reference signal configuration information for the first device.

[0223] Optionally, the positioning device may be an LMF or other device with positioning capabilities; this application does not specify any particular device.

[0224] Optionally, the first request is a positioning information request message.

[0225] It should be noted that in step 501 above, the first request can also be replaced by a first instruction or a first notification. The first instruction is used to instruct the network device to configure a positioning reference signal for the first device. The first notification is used to notify the network device to configure a positioning reference signal for the first device.

[0226] 501e: The network device sends a first response to the positioning device. The first response includes configuration information for the positioning reference signal. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the first response from the network device.

[0227] The first response is used to indicate that the positioning reference signal has been successfully configured for the first device.

[0228] Optionally, the first response is a positioning information response message.

[0229] It should be noted that the first response includes configuration information for the positioning reference signal. This facilitates the positioning device requesting at least one network device to locate the first device. For example, the positioning device can send positioning measurement requests to multiple TRPs, each including the configuration information for the positioning reference signal. This allows multiple TRPs to locate the first device, thereby improving positioning accuracy.

[0230] Optional, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment also includes step 501f. Step 501f may be performed before step 501.

[0231] 501f. The positioning device sends a second request to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second request from the positioning device.

[0232] The second request is used to request the network device to incentivize the first device to send a positioning reference signal.

[0233] Optionally, the second request is a positioning activation request message.

[0234] It should be noted that, optionally, the second request can also be replaced by a second instruction or a second notification. The second instruction is used to instruct the network device to stimulate the first device to send a positioning reference signal. The second notification is used to notify the network device to stimulate the first device to send a positioning reference signal.

[0235] Optionally, the second request may also include information on the positioning excitation period or information on the number of positioning excitations. The positioning excitation period information indicates the period at which the network device excites the first device to send positioning reference signals. The information on the number of positioning excitations indicates the number of times the network device excites the first device to send positioning reference signals.

[0236] Based on this implementation, optionally, step 501 above specifically includes: the network device sending first information to the first device based on the information of the positioning excitation period or the information of the number of positioning excitations. There are various ways for the network device to excite the first device; please refer to the following text for details. Figure 6 Related information.

[0237] It should be noted that, optionally, if the above... Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment also includes the processes of steps 501a to 501c described above, so step 501f can be performed after step 501c. If the above... Figure 5 The embodiment shown also includes the process of steps 501a to 501e above, so step 501f can be performed after step 501e.

[0238] Optional, Figure 5The illustrated embodiment also includes step 501g. Step 501g may be performed after step 501.

[0239] 501g: The network device sends a second response to the positioning device. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the second response from the network device.

[0240] The second response is used to indicate that the network device successfully induced the first device to send a positioning reference signal.

[0241] Optionally, the second response is a positioning activation response message.

[0242] Optional, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment also includes step 502a. Step 502a may be performed after step 501 and before step 502.

[0243] 502a. The positioning device sends a third request to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the third request from the positioning device.

[0244] The third request is used to request the network device to measure the positioning reference signal sent by the first device.

[0245] Optionally, the third request is a positioning measurement request message.

[0246] It should be noted that, optionally, if the above... Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment also includes steps 501f and 501g, so step 502a can be performed after step 501g.

[0247] Optional, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment also includes steps 503 and 504. Steps 503 to 504 can be performed after step 502.

[0248] 503. The network device measures the positioning reference signal sent by the first device to obtain the measurement result.

[0249] 504. The network device sends the measurement results to the positioning device. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the measurement results from the network device.

[0250] Optionally, the measurement result is carried in a positioning measurement response message. This positioning measurement response message is a response to the third request in step 502a above.

[0251] Optional, Figure 5The illustrated embodiment also includes step 500a. Step 500a may be performed before step 501.

[0252] 500a. The network device sends an indication message to the positioning device. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the indication message from the network device.

[0253] The indication information is used to indicate that the network device supports the function of communicating with the tag terminal, or to indicate that the network device has an excitation function, or to indicate that the network device has the function of exciting the tag terminal to send a positioning reference signal.

[0254] Specifically, the network device is a reader / writer, or a device that integrates a reader / writer. The network device has inventory and activation functions, enabling it to inventory tag terminals and activate tag terminals to send positioning reference signals.

[0255] Optionally, if the above Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment also includes steps 501a to 501c. There is no fixed execution order between steps 500a and steps 501a to 501c. Step 500a can be executed first, followed by steps 501a to 501c; or steps 501a to 501c can be executed first, followed by step 500a; or, depending on the situation, steps 500a and steps 501a to 501c can be executed simultaneously. This application does not limit the specific execution order.

[0256] Optionally, if the above Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment also includes steps 501a to 501e, so step 500a can be performed before step 501d.

[0257] Optional, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment also includes step 500b. Step 500b may be performed before step 501.

[0258] 500b. The first device initiates random access to the network device.

[0259] The process of step 500b is the same as described above. Figure 4 The inventory process shown is similar; please refer to the previous section for details. Figure 4 The following is an introduction to the inventory process.

[0260] Optionally, if the above Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment further includes steps 501a to 501c and steps 501d to 501e, in which case step 500b can be performed before step 501d. Optionally, if the above... Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment also includes steps 501a to 501c, so step 500b can be performed before step 501a.

[0261] It should be noted that there is no fixed execution order between steps 500a and 500b. Step 500a can be executed first, followed by step 500b; or step 500b can be executed first, followed by step 500a; or, depending on the circumstances, steps 500a and 500b can be executed simultaneously. This application does not impose any specific restrictions on this.

[0262] Prior to step 501d above, optionally, the positioning device acquires second information. This second information includes at least one of the following: the tag type of the first device and its positioning capabilities.

[0263] Optionally, the tag type of the first device includes any of the following: passive tag terminal, semi-passive tag terminal, or active tag terminal. Please refer to the relevant introduction above for information on these tag types.

[0264] Optionally, the positioning capability includes at least one of the following: whether it supports positioning capability, and whether it supports the transmission of positioning reference signals. For example, the first device supports the ability to transmit SRS.

[0265] Optionally, in step 501d above, the positioning device can determine the recommended configuration of the positioning reference signal based on the second information. For example, if the first device is a passive or semi-passive tag terminal, which supports relatively low power consumption, the positioning device can recommend that the network device repeatedly excite the first device to send the positioning reference signal. This facilitates positioning of the first device based on the multiple received positioning reference signals, thereby improving positioning accuracy.

[0266] The following describes two possible ways for positioning devices to obtain second information.

[0267] Method 1 will be described below in conjunction with steps 500c and 500d. Optional, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment also includes steps 500c and 500d. Steps 500c and 500d can be performed before step 501d.

[0268] 500c. The first device sends second information to the core network equipment. Correspondingly, the core network equipment receives the second information from the first device.

[0269] For example, the core network equipment can be AMF.

[0270] Optionally, the second information is carried in the non-access stratum (NAS) registration request message.

[0271] Specifically, the first device can send a NAS registration request message to the AMF. This NAS registration request message is used by the first device to request registration with the AMF.

[0272] Optionally, if the second information is carried in the NAS registration request message, the core device may send a registration response message to the first device. This registration response message indicates that the first device has completed registration.

[0273] 500d. The core network equipment sends the second information to the positioning equipment. Correspondingly, the positioning equipment receives the second information from the core network equipment.

[0274] Optionally, the second information may also include the EPC code or TID of the first device. The EPC code or TID of the first device is used by the core network equipment and the positioning equipment to identify the first device.

[0275] It should be noted that, optionally, in step 500d above, the core network device can also process the second information to obtain the third information. Then, the core network device sends the third information to the positioning device. For example, the second information includes the tag type of the first device and the positioning capability of the first device. The third information may only include the tag type of the first device or the positioning capability of the first device. Alternatively, the third information includes: first indication information, the tag type of the first device, and the positioning capability of the first device. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first device is a tag terminal.

[0276] The following section describes method 2 in conjunction with step 500e. Optional, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment also includes step 500e. Step 500e may be performed before step 501d.

[0277] 500e. The first device sends second information to the positioning device. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the second information from the first device.

[0278] In this embodiment, the first device receives first information from a network device. This first information is used to incentivize the first device to send a positioning reference signal. Then, the first device sends the positioning reference signal based on the first information. Therefore, it can be seen that the first information is used to incentivize the first device to send a positioning reference signal. That is, the first device can use the first information to send a positioning reference signal, thereby enabling positioning of the first device based on the positioning reference signal and meeting the positioning requirements of the first device. For example, the tag terminal does not have complex signal processing capabilities. Based on the technical solution of this application, the tag terminal can receive first information from a network device, and the first information incentivizes the tag terminal to send a positioning reference signal, thus achieving positioning of the tag terminal.

[0279] The following describes several possible implementations of how network devices stimulate the first device to send positioning reference signals. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the communication method of this application.

[0280] The following describes implementation method 1 in conjunction with steps 601 to 604. Steps 601 to 604 are illustrated using the example of the network device twice stimulating the first device to send positioning reference signals.

[0281] 601. The network device sends first information to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first information from the network device.

[0282] 602. The first device sends a positioning reference signal to the network device based on the first information. Correspondingly, the network device receives the positioning reference signal from the first device.

[0283] 603. The network device sends the first information to the first device again. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first information from the network device.

[0284] 604. The first device sends a positioning reference signal to the network device again based on the first information. Correspondingly, the network device receives the positioning reference signal from the first device.

[0285] In implementation method 1, optionally, the first device does not have counting or timing capabilities. Therefore, the network device needs to repeatedly stimulate the first device to send positioning reference signals. That is, the network device stimulates the first device to send positioning reference signals multiple times by sending the first information multiple times.

[0286] In one possible implementation, implementation method 1 is described using a positioning stimulus count of 2 as an example. In practical applications, the positioning stimulus count can also be 3, 4, or other counts, which are not limited in this application. For example, the positioning stimulus count can be N, where N is greater than or equal to 1. The stimulus process for each instance is similar to the process in steps 601 to 602.

[0287] In another possible implementation, the time interval between the time when the network device sends the first information in step 601 and the time when the network device sends the first information in step 603 is the duration of the positioning excitation cycle. Steps 601 to 604 are illustrated using the process of the network device exciting the first device to send a positioning reference signal twice according to the positioning excitation cycle as an example.

[0288] The following section describes implementation method 2 in conjunction with steps 605 to 607.

[0289] 605. The network device sends first information to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first information from the network device.

[0290] 606. The first device sends a positioning reference signal to the network device based on the first information. Correspondingly, the network device receives the positioning reference signal from the first device.

[0291] 607. The first device sends a positioning reference signal to the network device again based on the first information. Correspondingly, the network device receives the positioning reference signal from the first device again.

[0292] In this implementation, the first device has counting capabilities and the ability to actively transmit signals. The first information includes the number of positioning excitations, and the first device can transmit the first information according to the number of positioning excitations.

[0293] Steps 606 and 607 above illustrate the process of the first device sending a positioning reference signal using an example where the number of positioning excitations is equal to 2. In practical applications, the number of positioning excitations can also be 3, 4, or other numbers, and the first device sends the positioning reference signal multiple times according to this number of positioning excitations. For example, if the number of positioning excitations is 3, then after the first device receives the first information, the network device can send the positioning reference signal three times.

[0294] The following section describes implementation method 3 in conjunction with steps 608 to 609.

[0295] 608. The network device sends first information to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first information from the network device.

[0296] The first piece of information includes information about the location incentive cycle.

[0297] 609. The first device periodically sends a positioning reference signal to the network device based on the first information.

[0298] Specifically, the first device has timing capabilities and the ability to actively transmit signals. For example, if the positioning excitation period is 1ms, after receiving the first information, the first device can transmit the positioning reference signal every 1ms.

[0299] As can be seen from the above three possible implementation methods, the network device can select an appropriate excitation method based on the capabilities of the first device, and excite the first device to send a positioning reference signal through the excitation method.

[0300] The first device provided in this application is described below. Please refer to... Figure 7 This application provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a first device 700 according to an embodiment. The first device 700 includes a transceiver module 701. Optionally, the first device 700 may further include a processing module 702.

[0301] The first device 700 includes a tag terminal, or a component (e.g., a chip), module, or unit within the tag terminal. The first device 700 can be used to perform the above-described actions. Figure 5 and Figure 6 For details of all or all steps performed by the first device in the illustrated embodiment, please refer to the foregoing. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The relevant descriptions in the illustrated embodiments.

[0302] For example, the transceiver module 701 is used to perform the above. Figure 5 Steps 501 and 502 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0303] Optionally, the transceiver module 701 is also used to perform the above... Figure 5 Steps 501a and 501c in the illustrated embodiment are shown. Processing module 702 is used to execute the above. Figure 5 Step 501b in the illustrated embodiment.

[0304] Optionally, the transceiver module 701 is also used to perform the above... Figure 5 Step 500b in the illustrated embodiment.

[0305] Optionally, the transceiver module 701 is also used to perform the above... Figure 5 Step 500c or step 500e in the illustrated embodiments.

[0306] For example, the transceiver module 701 is used to perform the above. Figure 6 Steps 601 to 604 in the illustrated embodiment; or, used to perform the above. Figure 6 Steps 605 to 607 in the illustrated embodiment; or, used to perform the above. Figure 6 Steps 608 and 609 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0307] The communication device provided in this application is described below. Please refer to... Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a first structure of a communication device 800 according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 800 includes a processing module 802 and a transceiver module 801.

[0308] The communication device 800 includes a network device, or a component (e.g., a chip), module, or unit within the network device. The communication device 800 can be used to perform the above-described actions. Figure 5 and Figure 6 For details regarding all or all steps performed by the network device in the illustrated embodiments, please refer to the foregoing. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The relevant descriptions in the illustrated embodiments.

[0309] For example, the transceiver module 801 is used to perform the above. Figure 5 Steps 501 and 502 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0310] Optionally, the transceiver module 801 is also used to perform the above... Figure 5The illustrated embodiment includes steps 500a, 500b, 501a, 501b, 501d, 501e, 501f, 501g, 502a, and 504. Processing module 802 is used to execute the above steps. Figure 5 Step 503 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0311] The communication device provided in this application is described below. Please refer to... Figure 9 This application provides a second schematic diagram of the communication device 900. The communication device 900 includes a transceiver module 901. Optionally, the communication device 900 may also include a processing module 902.

[0312] The communication device 900 includes a positioning device, or a component (e.g., a chip), module, or unit within the positioning device. The communication device 900 can be used to perform the above-described actions. Figure 5 For details regarding all or all steps performed by the positioning device in the illustrated embodiments, please refer to the foregoing. Figure 5 The relevant descriptions in the illustrated embodiments.

[0313] For example, the transceiver module 901 is used to perform the above. Figure 5 Steps 501d and 501e in the illustrated embodiment.

[0314] Optionally, the transceiver module 901 is used to perform the above. Figure 5 Steps 501f, 501g, 502a, 504, and 500a in the illustrated embodiment.

[0315] Optionally, the transceiver module 901 is also used to perform step 500d or step 500e.

[0316] This application also provides a first device. Figure 10 This is another structural schematic diagram of the first device according to an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 10 The first device 1000 may be the first device in the above method embodiments, or it may be a component (e.g., a chip), module, or unit of the first device in the above method embodiments. The first device 1000 may be used to perform the operations performed by the first device in the above method embodiments.

[0317] The processor is mainly used to process data or signals, control the first device, execute corresponding software programs, and process the data of the software programs.

[0318] It should be noted that this processor has weak signal processing capabilities and is unable to perform complex signal processing algorithms.

[0319] The memory is mainly used to store software programs and data. The radio frequency (RF) circuit is mainly used for the conversion between baseband signals and RF signals, as well as the processing of RF signals.

[0320] Antennas are primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves.

[0321] Optionally, the first device 1000 may also include input / output devices, such as a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, etc., mainly used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0322] When data needs to be transmitted, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then performs RF processing on the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward as electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the first device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal back into data and processes the data.

[0323] For ease of explanation, Figure 10 Only one memory and processor are shown in the illustration. In the actual product of the first device, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. The memory may also be referred to as a storage medium or storage device, etc. The memory may be set up independently of the processor or integrated with the processor; this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0324] In this embodiment, an antenna and radio frequency circuit with transceiver functions can be considered as the transceiver unit of the first device, and a processor with processing functions can be considered as the processing unit of the first device. For example... Figure 10 As shown, the first device includes a transceiver unit 1010 and a processing unit 1020. The transceiver unit can also be called a transceiver, transceiver machine, transceiver device, etc. The processing unit can also be called a processor, processing board, processing module, processing device, etc.

[0325] Optionally, the devices in transceiver unit 1010 used for receiving functions can be considered as receiving units, and the devices in transceiver unit 1010 used for transmitting functions can be considered as transmitting units. That is, transceiver unit 1010 includes both receiving and transmitting units. A transceiver unit can also be called a transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc. A receiving unit can also be called a receiver, receiver, or receiving circuit, etc. A transmitting unit can also be called a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit, etc.

[0326] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1010 is used to perform the sending and receiving operations of the first device in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 1020 is used to perform other operations on the first device in the above method embodiment besides the sending and receiving operations.

[0327] When the first device is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit is a processor, microprocessor, integrated circuit, or logic circuit integrated on the chip. In the above method embodiments, the sending operation corresponds to the output of the input / output circuit, and the receiving operation corresponds to the input of the input / output circuit.

[0328] This application also provides a communication device. Figure 11 This is a third structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 11 The communication device 1100 includes a processor 1101.

[0329] Optionally, the communication device 1100 may also include a memory 1102.

[0330] Optionally, the communication device 1100 may also include a transceiver 1103.

[0331] In one possible implementation, the processor 1101, memory 1102, and transceiver 1103 are connected via a bus, and the memory 1102 stores computer instructions.

[0332] When the communication device 1100 includes a network device, or a component (e.g., a chip), module, or unit within the network device, the communication device 1100 can be used to perform... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The steps performed by the network device in the illustrated embodiments can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0333] In this implementation, the aforementioned Figure 8 The processing module 802 in the illustrated embodiment may be the processor 1101, as described above. Figure 8 The transceiver module 801 in the illustrated embodiment can be the transceiver 1103.

[0334] When the communication device 1100 includes a positioning device, or components (e.g., chips), modules, or units within the positioning device, the communication device 1100 can be used to perform... Figure 5 The steps performed by the positioning device in the illustrated embodiments can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0335] In this implementation, the aforementioned Figure 9 The processing module 902 in the illustrated embodiment may be the processor 1101, as described above. Figure 9 The transceiver module 901 in the illustrated embodiment can be the transceiver 1103.

[0336] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a first device and a network device. The first device is used to perform the above-described... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The illustrated embodiment shows the first device performing all or part of the steps. A network device is used to perform the above... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The network device performs all or part of the steps shown in the embodiments.

[0337] Optionally, the communication system also includes positioning equipment and core network equipment. The positioning equipment is used to perform the above... Figure 5 The illustrated embodiments show all or some of the steps performed by the positioning device. The core network device is used to perform the above-described steps. Figure 5 The embodiments shown represent all or part of the steps performed by the core network equipment.

[0338] This application also provides a computer program product including computer instructions, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the above-described actions. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The communication method of the embodiment shown.

[0339] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, including computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the above-described actions. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The communication method of the embodiment shown.

[0340] This application also provides a chip device, including a processor, for calling a computer program or computer instructions stored in a memory, so that the processor executes the above-described... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The communication method of the embodiment shown.

[0341] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0342] Optionally, the chip device may also include a memory in which computer programs or computer instructions are stored.

[0343] The processor mentioned above can be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more devices used to control the above. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The communication method of the illustrated embodiment is a program execution integrated circuit. The memory mentioned above can be read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0344] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units through some interfaces, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0345] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0346] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0347] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the part of the technical solution that makes an essential contribution, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0348] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The first device receives first information from a network device. The first information is used to excite the first device to send a positioning reference signal. The first information includes memory address information of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal stored in the first device, or the first information includes the starting memory address information and data length of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal stored in the first device. The first device sends the positioning reference signal based on the first information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The starting memory address information and the data length are used to determine the memory address of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The configuration information of the positioning reference signal includes sequence information used to generate the positioning reference signal.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The configuration information of the positioning reference signal also includes the frequency domain information of the positioning reference signal.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first device sends the positioning reference signal based on the first information, including: The first device reads a sequence for generating the positioning reference signal from the corresponding memory address of the first device based on the first information; The first device generates the positioning reference signal according to the sequence; The first device sends the positioning reference signal.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Before the first device receives the first information from the network device, the method further includes: The first device receives configuration information from the network device, the configuration information including configuration information of the positioning reference signal; The first device writes the configuration information of the positioning reference signal into the corresponding memory address of the first device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The configuration information for the positioning reference signal includes a sequence for generating the positioning reference signal; the configuration information also includes the starting memory address information and data length of the sequence; The first device writes the configuration information of the positioning reference signal into the corresponding memory address of the first device, including: The first device determines the memory address based on the starting memory address information and the data length; The first device writes the sequence into the memory address.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first device sends a reply message to the network device, the reply message indicating that the configuration information of the positioning reference signal has been successfully written to the memory address.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first device sends second information to the core network equipment or positioning equipment, the second information including at least one of the following: the tag type and positioning capability information of the first device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The tag type is a passive tag terminal, a semi-passive tag terminal, or an active tag terminal.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The positioning capability information includes at least one of the following: whether it supports positioning capability, and the ability to transmit positioning reference signals.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The network device determines first information, which is used to incentivize the first device to send a positioning reference signal. The first information includes memory address information of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal stored in the first device, or the first information includes the starting memory address information and data length of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal stored in the first device. The network device sends the first information to the first device.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The starting memory address information and the data length are used to determine the memory address of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, Before the network device sends the first information to the first device, the method further includes: The network device sends configuration information to the first device, the configuration information including the configuration information of the positioning reference signal.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The configuration information of the positioning reference signal includes a sequence for generating the positioning reference signal; the configuration information also includes memory address information of the sequence; or, the configuration information includes the starting memory address information and data length of the sequence, the starting memory address information and the data length being used to determine the memory address for storing the sequence.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: The network device receives a response message from the first device, the response message indicating that the configuration information of the positioning reference signal has been successfully written to the corresponding memory address.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, Before the network device sends configuration information to the first device, the method further includes: The network device receives a first request from the positioning device, the first request being used to request the network device to configure a positioning reference signal for the first device, the first request including the identifier of the first device; The network device sends a first response to the positioning device, the first response including configuration information of the positioning reference signal.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first request also includes the type of the first device, which is a tag terminal.

19. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, Before the network device sends the first information to the first device, the method further includes: The network device receives a second request from the positioning device, the second request being used to request the network device to incentivize the first device to send a positioning reference signal.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The second request also includes information on the positioning excitation period or the number of positioning excitations, wherein the information on the positioning excitation period indicates the period during which the network device excites the first device to send a positioning reference signal, and the information on the number of positioning excitations indicates the number of times the network device excites the first device to send a positioning reference signal.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The network device sends the first information to the first device, including: The network device sends the first information to the first device according to the information of the positioning excitation cycle or the information of the number of positioning excitations.

22. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, After the network device sends the first information to the first device, the method further includes: The network device sends a second response to the positioning device, the second response indicating that the network device successfully induced the first device to send a positioning reference signal.

23. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, Before the network device determines the first information, the method further includes: The network device sends indication information to the positioning device. The indication information is used to indicate that the network device supports the function of communicating with the tag terminal, or to indicate that the network device has an excitation function, or to indicate that the network device has the function of exciting the tag terminal to send a positioning reference signal.

24. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: The network device measures the positioning reference signal to obtain the measurement result; The network device sends the measurement results to the positioning device, and the measurement results are used to locate the first device.

25. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The positioning device sends a first request to the network device, the first request being used to request the network device to configure a positioning reference signal for the first device, the first request including the identifier of the first device; The positioning device receives a first response from the network device, the first response including configuration information of the positioning reference signal configured by the network device for the first device; The positioning device sends a second request to the network device. The second request is used to request the network device to incentivize the first device to send the positioning reference signal, so that the network device sends first information to the first device. The first information is used to incentivize the first device to send the positioning reference signal. The first information includes memory address information of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal stored in the first device, or the first information includes the starting memory address information and data length of the configuration information of the positioning reference signal stored in the first device. The positioning device receives a second response from the network device, the second response indicating that the network device successfully induced the first device to send the positioning reference signal.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that, The first request also includes the type of the first device, which is a tag terminal.

27. The method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that, Before the positioning device sends the first request to the network device, the method further includes: The positioning device receives second information from the core network device or the first device, the second information including at least one of the following: the tag type of the first device and positioning capability information.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that, The tag type is a passive tag terminal, a semi-passive tag terminal, or an active tag terminal.

29. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that, The positioning capability information includes at least one of the following: whether it supports positioning capability, and the ability to transmit positioning reference signals.

30. The method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that, Before the positioning device sends the first request to the network device, the method further includes: The positioning device receives indication information from the network device. The indication information is used to indicate that the network device supports the function of communicating with the tag terminal, or to indicate that the network device has an excitation function, or to indicate that the network device has the function of exciting the tag terminal to send a positioning reference signal.

31. The method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that, The second request also includes information on the positioning excitation period or the number of positioning excitations, wherein the information on the positioning excitation period indicates the period during which the network device excites the first device to send a positioning reference signal, and the information on the number of positioning excitations indicates the number of times the network device excites the first device to send a positioning reference signal.

32. The method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that, The method further includes: The positioning device receives measurement results from the network device; The positioning device locates the first device based on the measurement results.

33. An apparatus, characterized in that, The apparatus includes a transceiver module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11; or, the transceiver module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 25 to 32.

34. The apparatus according to claim 33, characterized in that, The device also includes a processing module; If the transceiver module is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, the processing module is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11; or... If the transceiver module is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 25 to 32, the processing module is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 25 to 32.

35. An apparatus, characterized in that, The apparatus includes a transceiver module and a processing module, the transceiver module being configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 24, and the processing module being configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 24.

36. An apparatus, characterized in that, The apparatus includes a processor configured to execute a computer program or computer instructions in a memory to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, or to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 24, or to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 32.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36, characterized in that, The device also includes a transceiver, and the processor and the transceiver are interconnected via a line.

38. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The device stores a computer program that, when executed by the device, causes the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or causes the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 24, or causes the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 25 to 32.

39. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 24, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 25 to 32.

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