A communication method and device for realizing backscattering communication based on RIS

Abstract

This application provides a communication method and apparatus for backscatter communication based on a RIS (Reference Array Injection System). The method includes: acquiring configuration information of the RIS for backscatter communication configured by a base station; modulating interaction information between the RIS and the base station onto a carrier incident on it based on the configuration information and transmitting it to the base station, so that the base station can receive and detect the information modulated onto the carrier by the RIS based on backscatter communication. This application enables information interaction between the RIS and the base station, allowing the base station to control the RIS.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application mainly relates to the field of communication technology, specifically to a communication method and apparatus for implementing backscatter communication based on RIS. Background Technology

[0002] With the continued rapid growth in demand for wireless network capacity, ubiquitous wireless connectivity will truly become a reality in the next decade or so. However, highly complex networks, high-cost hardware, and increasing energy consumption are also key challenges facing future wireless networks. The ability to manipulate electromagnetic waves "at will" has long been a dream pursued by humankind. The emergence of Maxwell's equations dramatically improved humanity's control over electromagnetic waves, but limited by the relatively fixed electromagnetic parameters of materials, our control over electromagnetic waves has been confined to transmitters and receivers. In recent years, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) have attracted widespread attention from the industry due to their ability to flexibly manipulate the electromagnetic properties of the channel environment.

[0003] RIS (Radio-Induced Radiometers) typically consist of a large number of meticulously designed electromagnetic units. By applying control signals to adjustable elements on these units, their electromagnetic properties can be dynamically controlled, enabling programmable and active intelligent modulation of spatial electromagnetic waves to form electromagnetic fields with controllable amplitude, phase, polarization, and frequency. As a two-dimensional realization of metamaterials, RIS naturally possesses the characteristics of low cost, low complexity, and easy deployment, and can address the needs and challenges of future wireless networks. The introduction of RIS transforms the wireless propagation environment from passive adaptation to active control, thus offering the opportunity to build a human-controlled intelligent wireless environment.

[0004] Backscatter communication (BDC) is an ultra-low-power wireless communication technology operating at the microwatt level. Backscatter tags utilize ambient radio frequency (RF) signals without requiring active RF signal transmission, making it a passive communication process. Therefore, it is considered a key technology for large-scale deployment of the Internet of Things (IoT) by both academia and industry. Compared to traditional RFID communication, backscatter communication does not require dedicated signal excitation source equipment, making it easier to deploy. Comparing the two technologies mentioned above, BDC, like RIS (Radio Frequency Identification), achieves passive communication by utilizing ambient RF signals.

[0005] Therefore, we have a full opportunity to utilize RIS to simultaneously implement BDC functionality. However, how to effectively support RIS communication requirements by implementing BDC functionality using RIS presents entirely new challenges. In particular, how to implement BDC communication functionality based on RIS to support information exchange between RIS and the base station, thereby enabling the base station to control the RIS, is a new challenge.

[0006] In other words, existing technologies cannot be used to support information exchange between the RIS and the base station, and cannot enable the base station to control the RIS. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for backscatter communication based on RIS, aiming to solve the problem that the existing technology cannot be used to support information interaction between RIS and base station, and cannot realize base station control of RIS.

[0008] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method for backscatter communication based on RIS, the communication method for backscatter communication based on RIS includes:

[0009] Obtain the configuration information of the RIS configuration of the base station to implement backscatter communication;

[0010] Based on the configuration information, the interaction information between the RIS and the base station is modulated onto a carrier incident thereon and transmitted to the base station, so that the base station can receive and detect the information of the RIS modulated onto the carrier based on backscatter communication.

[0011] Optionally, the base station and the user equipment communicate via a direct channel or via a backscattering channel of the RIS, wherein the ratio between the backscattering channel signal strength of the backscattering channel and the direct channel signal strength of the direct channel is the channel signal strength ratio.

[0012] The configuration information includes: if the channel signal strength ratio is greater than a first predefined threshold, then same-frequency sharing is adopted; if the channel signal strength ratio is not greater than the first predefined threshold, then time division or frequency division is adopted; if the channel signal strength ratio is greater than a third predefined threshold, then the signal strength of the scattering channel communication is increased.

[0013] Optionally, there is a communication service idle period between the base station and the user equipment;

[0014] The configuration information includes: if the network load is less than a second predefined threshold, backscatter communication will only be performed through the scattering channel of the RIS during the idle period of the communication service.

[0015] Optionally, the step of modulating the interaction information between the RIS and the base station onto a carrier incident thereon based on the configuration information and transmitting it to the base station, so that the base station receives information from the RIS modulated onto the carrier based on backscatter communication, includes:

[0016] The interaction information is modulated onto the carrier of the DL link using RIS, so that the user equipment can send the interaction information to the base station. In this case, when the user equipment receives the master system DL information, it demodulates to obtain the interaction information modulated onto the carrier by RIS. The user equipment uses the interaction information as master system UL information and sends it to the base station through the master system UL channel.

[0017] Optionally, the step of modulating the interaction information between the RIS and the base station onto a carrier incident thereon based on the configuration information and transmitting it to the base station, so that the base station receives information from the RIS modulated onto the carrier based on backscatter communication, includes:

[0018] The interaction information is modulated onto the carrier of the DL link using RIS, so that the user equipment modulates the interaction information onto the UL carrier in a backscattered manner, thereby transmitting the interaction information to the base station. Specifically, when the user equipment receives the DL information from the main system, it demodulates to obtain the interaction information modulated onto the carrier by RIS. The user equipment transmits the signal of the UL channel of the main system and simultaneously modulates the interaction information onto the UL carrier in a backscattered manner, thereby transmitting the interaction information to the base station.

[0019] Optionally, the step of modulating the interaction information between the RIS and the base station onto a carrier incident thereon based on the configuration information and transmitting it to the base station, so that the base station receives information from the RIS modulated onto the carrier based on backscatter communication, includes:

[0020] The RIS modulates the resource demand indication information of the interaction information via the DL carrier. The user equipment sends the demand indication information to the base station through the main system UL channel. The base station schedules the user equipment to send uplink signals based on the resource demand indication information, so that the RIS modulates the interaction information using the uplink signal of the user equipment using a backscattering mechanism and sends it to the base station.

[0021] Optionally, the step of modulating the interaction information between the RIS and the base station onto a carrier incident thereon based on the configuration information and transmitting it to the base station, so that the base station receives information from the RIS modulated onto the carrier based on backscatter communication, includes:

[0022] The system communicates with the base station based on a preset pilot structure, wherein the pilot structure includes periodically arranged pilot signals, and the pilot signals include time-domain continuous conventional pilot symbols and backscattered modulated pilot symbols.

[0023] Secondly, this application provides a communication device for backscatter communication based on RIS, the communication device for backscatter communication based on RIS comprising:

[0024] The acquisition unit is used to acquire the configuration information of the RIS configuration for backscatter communication in the base station;

[0025] The transmitting unit is configured to modulate the interaction information between the RIS and the base station onto a carrier incident thereon based on the configuration information and transmit it to the base station, so that the base station can receive the information of the RIS modulated on the carrier based on backscatter communication.

[0026] Optionally, the base station and the user equipment communicate via a direct channel or via a backscattering channel of the RIS, wherein the ratio between the backscattering channel signal strength of the backscattering channel and the direct channel signal strength of the direct channel is the channel signal strength ratio.

[0027] The configuration information includes: if the channel signal strength ratio is greater than a first predefined threshold, then same-frequency sharing is adopted; if the channel signal strength ratio is not greater than the first predefined threshold, then time division or frequency division is adopted; if the channel signal strength ratio is greater than a third predefined threshold, then the signal strength of the scattering channel communication is increased.

[0028] Optionally, there is a communication service idle period between the base station and the user equipment;

[0029] The configuration information includes: if the network load is less than a second predefined threshold, backscatter communication will only be performed through the scattering channel of the RIS during the idle period of the communication service.

[0030] Optionally, the transmitting unit is configured to:

[0031] The interaction information is modulated onto the carrier of the DL link using RIS, so that the user equipment can send the interaction information to the base station. In this case, when the user equipment receives the master system DL information, it demodulates to obtain the interaction information modulated onto the carrier by RIS. The user equipment uses the interaction information as master system UL information and sends it to the base station through the master system UL channel.

[0032] Optionally, the transmitting unit is configured to:

[0033] The interaction information is modulated onto the carrier of the DL link using RIS, so that the user equipment modulates the interaction information onto the UL carrier in a backscattered manner, thereby transmitting the interaction information to the base station. Specifically, when the user equipment receives the DL information from the main system, it demodulates to obtain the interaction information modulated onto the carrier by RIS. The user equipment transmits the signal of the UL channel of the main system and simultaneously modulates the interaction information onto the UL carrier in a backscattered manner, thereby transmitting the interaction information to the base station.

[0034] Optionally, the transmitting unit is configured to:

[0035] The RIS modulates the resource demand indication information of the interaction information via the DL carrier. The user equipment sends the demand indication information to the base station through the main system UL channel. The base station schedules the user equipment to send uplink signals based on the resource demand indication information, so that the RIS modulates the interaction information using the uplink signal of the user equipment using a backscattering mechanism and sends it to the base station.

[0036] Optionally, the transmitting unit is used for:

[0037] The system communicates with the base station based on a preset pilot structure, wherein the pilot structure includes periodically arranged pilot signals, and the pilot signals include time-domain continuous conventional pilot symbols and backscattered modulated pilot symbols.

[0038] Thirdly, this application provides an electronic device, the electronic device comprising:

[0039] One or more processors;

[0040] Memory; and

[0041] One or more applications, wherein the one or more applications are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor to implement the RIS-based backscatter communication method described in any one of the first aspects.

[0042] Fourthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a plurality of instructions adapted for loading by a processor to perform the steps in the communication method for backscatter communication based on RIS as described in any one of the first aspects.

[0043] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for backscatter communication based on a RIS (Reference Array Injection System). The method includes: acquiring configuration information of the RIS for backscatter communication configured by a base station; modulating interaction information between the RIS and the base station onto a carrier incident on it based on the configuration information and transmitting it to the base station, so that the base station can receive and detect the information modulated onto the carrier by the RIS based on backscatter communication. This application enables information interaction between the RIS and the base station, allowing the base station to control the RIS. Attached Figure Description

[0044] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system based on RIS for backscatter communication provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0046] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of the communication method based on RIS for backscatter communication provided in this application.

[0047] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the pilot structure in one embodiment of the communication method based on RIS for backscattering communication provided in this application.

[0048] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the communication device based on RIS for backscatter communication provided in this application.

[0049] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the electronic device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0050] 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 some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0051] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0052] In this application, the term "exemplary" is used to mean "serving as an example, illustration, or description." Any embodiment described as "exemplary" in this application is not necessarily to be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments. The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and adopt this application. Details are set forth in the following description for purposes of explanation. It should be understood that those skilled in the art will recognize that this application can be implemented without employing these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and processes are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the description of this application with unnecessary detail. Therefore, this application is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is consistent with the broadest scope of the principles and features disclosed in this application.

[0053] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for backscatter communication based on RIS, which will be described in detail below.

[0054] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system based on RIS for backscatter communication provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system based on RIS for backscatter communication may include an electronic device 100, which integrates a RIS and a communication device based on RIS for backscatter communication.

[0055] In this embodiment, the electronic device 100 can be a general-purpose computer device or a special-purpose computer device. In specific implementations, the electronic device 100 can be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a network server, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal device, a communication device, an embedded device, a smart TV, etc. This embodiment does not limit the type of electronic device 100.

[0056] Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 1 The application environment shown is merely one application scenario of the solution in this application and does not constitute a limitation on the application scenario of the solution in this application. Other application environments may include more than one application scenario. Figure 1 The number of more or fewer electronic devices shown, for example Figure 1 Only one electronic device is shown in the diagram. It is understood that the communication system based on RIS for backscattering communication may also include one or more other electronic devices capable of processing data, which are not specifically limited here.

[0057] In addition, such as Figure 1 As shown, the communication system based on RIS for backscatter communication may also include a memory 200 for storing data.

[0058] It should be noted that, Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the communication system based on RIS for backscatter communication shown is merely an example. The communication system and scenario based on RIS for backscatter communication described in this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of communication systems based on RIS for backscatter communication and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0059] First, this application provides a communication method for backscatter communication based on RIS. The communication method for backscatter communication based on RIS includes: obtaining configuration information of RIS for backscatter communication configured by a base station; modulating the interaction information between RIS and the base station onto a carrier incident thereon based on the configuration information and sending it to the base station, so that the base station can receive and detect the information of RIS modulated onto the carrier based on backscatter communication.

[0060] like Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of the backscatter communication method based on RIS provided in this application. The backscatter communication method based on RIS includes the following steps S301 to S302:

[0061] S301. Obtain the configuration information of the RIS configuration of the base station to implement backscatter communication.

[0062] Specifically, the base station (NB) is configured with a RIS to enable backscatter communication, and electronic devices obtain the configuration information of the RIS configured by the base station to enable backscatter communication through the RIS.

[0063] The base station configuration RIS (Reference System) uses a backscattering threshold decision method to support a coexistence and sharing mechanism between adaptive base station (NB) and user equipment (UE) communication and backscattering communication. Both transmissions are based on threshold decisions. Based on the threshold decision, the RIS is configured to use co-frequency sharing, time-division multiplexing, frequency-division multiplexing, or utilize the idle period of communication between NB and UE for backscattering communication. The corresponding problem to be solved is that when RIS implements backscattering communication, there is a simultaneous existence of a direct channel (DC) between NB and UE and a scattering channel (RIS channel, RC) through the RIS. When RIS implements backscattering communication, the information is modulated. Only the RC channel serves as the channel for the target signal, while the direct channel between NB and UE is its interference channel. When the signal in the direct channel is strong, it will cause strong interference to the backscattered signal, resulting in poor SINR of the backscattered modulated signal and poor performance of RIS-based backscattering communication.

[0064] Since the poor SINR of the backscattered signal is due to signal interference in the direct channel between NB-UEs, and the intensity of this interference is primarily determined by the main system's signal transmission requirements—that is, the information communication requirements between NB-UEs—the fact that information communication between NB-UEs and backscattered communication occur simultaneously results in a lower SINR for the weaker backscattered signal. Therefore, a natural solution is to increase the backscattered signal strength and reduce or eliminate signal interference in the direct channel between NB-UEs.

[0065] To address this, an adaptive mechanism for coexistence and sharing of information communication and backscatter communication between NB-UEs is introduced. The transmission of both is based on threshold decision, and adaptive methods such as same-frequency sharing, time division, frequency division, or backscatter communication can be carried out by utilizing the idle period of communication between NB-UEs.

[0066] In one specific embodiment, the base station and the user equipment communicate via a direct channel or via a backscattering channel of the RIS. The ratio between the signal strength of the scattering channel and the signal strength of the direct channel is called the channel signal strength ratio. Configuration information includes: if the channel signal strength ratio is greater than a first predefined threshold Γ1, then co-frequency sharing is used; if the channel signal strength ratio is not greater than the first predefined threshold Γ1, then time division or frequency division is used.

[0067] In another specific embodiment, if the channel signal strength ratio is greater than a third predefined threshold Γ3, then the signal strength of the scattering channel communication is increased. Specifically, if the channel signal strength ratio is greater than the third predefined threshold... Γ3Doubling the period of the control symbol in backscatter communication, or time-domain repetition, increases the energy of the backscattered signal, thereby improving its SINR. However, this comes at the cost of sacrificing the backscattered data rate. Furthermore, when increasing the backscattered signal strength, priority must be given to ensuring the minimum SINR of the primary service, i.e., the minimum signal quality, communication rate / QoS requirements of the primary system service.

[0068] In another specific embodiment, communication between the base station and user equipment (UE) has a communication service idle period. The configuration information includes: if the network load is less than a second predefined threshold, backscatter communication is only performed through the RIS's scattering channel during the communication service idle period. The second predefined threshold Γ2 is the service load threshold. If the network load is less than the second predefined threshold Γ2, backscatter communication only occurs during the communication service idle period between the NB-UE and UE. Because there is a communication service idle period between the NB-UE and UE, no electromagnetic waves of service signals are incident on the RIS surface, and backscatter communication is based on electromagnetic waves of other signals incident on it; therefore, backscatter communication cannot be performed. To provide the electromagnetic waves used for backscatter communication and to minimize spectral and energy overhead, the NB / UE can be configured to transmit reference signals during the service idle period, such as existing channel state information indication reference signals in 5G networks. The RIS modulates the electromagnetic waves of these reference signals to achieve backscatter communication. This reference signal can be used to support the backscatter function requirement and also for NB / UE channel measurement; furthermore, the reference signal is generally composed of a specific sequence and is easily interference-canceled. Therefore, sending the reference signal will not cause additional resource overhead or serious interference problems.

[0069] Furthermore, when the main system is configured with MIMO, its beamforming can optimize and enhance the strength of the backscattered channel signal while minimizing the strength of the direct channel signal, thereby enhancing the SINR of the backscattered signal. In the NB-UE communication channel, both the backscattered channel via the RIS and the direct channel between NB-UEs coexist, making it difficult to measure the two sub-channels separately. To accurately measure the direct channel between NB-UEs, the RIS is temporarily disabled during the main system's (NB / UE) idle period (i.e., the RIS is in an OFF state), and the direct channel is measured.

[0070] S302. Based on the configuration information, the interaction information between the RIS and the base station is modulated onto a carrier incident on it and sent to the base station, so that the base station can receive and detect the information of the RIS modulated onto the carrier based on backscatter communication.

[0071] To support more flexible RIS deployment, wired links are difficult to use for the backhaul link between RIS and NB; configuring a dedicated wireless transceiver module on the RIS would lead to issues of complexity, cost, and power consumption. The aforementioned method of implementing backscattering functionality on the RIS can be used for interactive information between the RIS and NB / UE. This interactive information includes control and measurement information. However, when transmitting control and measurement information for interaction between the RIS and NB / UE, there are situations where the main system (NB / UE) lacks corresponding service transmission on the link, i.e., the main system's service is sparse. For example, this could occur before the initial transmission of main system services; or, there might be only downlink services without uplink services, resulting in no opportunity to directly modulate onto the uplink service carrier.

[0072] When the information transmission direction of the main system link is inconsistent with that of backscatter communication, for example, there is only downlink (DL) main system service, but backscatter needs to send information to the base station NB, that is, to the uplink (UL).

[0073] To address the problem in this scenario, in a specific embodiment, the interaction information between the RIS and the base station is modulated onto a carrier incident on it based on configuration information and transmitted to the base station, so that the base station can receive and detect the information modulated onto the carrier by the RIS based on backscatter communication. This includes: using the RIS to modulate the interaction information onto the carrier of the DL link, so that the user equipment can transmit the interaction information to the base station. In this case, the user equipment demodulates the interaction information modulated onto the carrier by the RIS when receiving the master system DL information, and the user equipment uses the interaction information as master system UL information and sends it to the base station through the master system UL channel.

[0074] Specifically, the RIS modulates the interaction information (control and measurement information between RIS and NB / UE) onto the carrier of the DL link. While receiving the DL information X from the master system, the UE also demodulates the control information S modulated onto the carrier by the RIS. The UE then transmits the control information S as master system UL information to the NB through the master system UL channel. For example, it can be modulated into RRC signaling or onto the uplink control channel PUCCH.

[0075] In another specific embodiment, based on configuration information, the interaction information between the RIS and the base station is modulated onto a carrier incident thereon and transmitted to the base station, so that the base station can receive and detect the information modulated onto the carrier by the RIS based on backscatter communication. This includes: using the RIS to modulate the interaction information onto the carrier of the DL link, so that the user equipment modulates the interaction information onto the UL carrier in a backscatter manner, thereby transmitting the interaction information to the base station. In this embodiment, when the user equipment receives the main system DL information, it demodulates to obtain the interaction information modulated onto the carrier by the RIS. The UE transmits the signal of the main system UL channel and simultaneously modulates the interaction information onto the UL carrier in a backscatter manner, thereby transmitting the interaction information to the base station.

[0076] Specifically, the RIS modulates the interaction information (control and measurement information between RIS and NB / UE) onto the carrier of the DL link. While receiving the DL information X from the master system, the UE also demodulates the control information S modulated by the RIS onto the carrier. Then, the UE acts as both a regular master system transmitter and a backscatter transmitter. The UE transmits the signal of the UL master system channel and modulates the control information S onto the UL carrier in a backscatter manner, thereby sending the control information S to the NB.

[0077] In another specific embodiment, based on configuration information, the interaction information between the RIS and the base station is modulated onto a carrier incident thereon and transmitted to the base station, so that the base station can receive and detect the information modulated onto the carrier by the RIS based on backscatter communication. This includes: using the RIS to modulate the interaction information through the DL carrier, the user equipment sends the demand indication information to the base station through the main system UL channel, and the base station schedules the user equipment to send uplink signals based on the resource demand indication information, thereby enabling the RIS to use the uplink signal of the user equipment to modulate the interaction information using the backscatter mechanism and send it to the base station.

[0078] Specifically, the RIS exchanges resource requirement indication information through DL carrier modulation information. The UE sends the resource requirement indication information to the NB through the UL channel of the main system. Based on the resource requirement indication information, the NB schedules the UE to send uplink signals (e.g., measurement reference signals), thereby enabling the RIS to use the UE's uplink signals to modulate the information it needs to send to the NB using a backscattering mechanism.

[0079] If the NB needs to send information to the RIS, the RIS needs to have a simple wireless receiving and demodulation module. This can be combined with the channel estimation function using the RIS's active elements. These RIS active elements can be used for channel estimation and are also designed to support simple low-rate information transmission from the NB to the RIS. It's also possible to consider modulating the information onto the DL carrier. While the RIS has channel estimation capabilities, it can also demodulate the NB-RIS control information carried on the DL carrier.

[0080] Furthermore, to support RIS for backscatter communication, a new frame structure / pilot structure needs to be specifically designed to simultaneously improve BC performance and reduce the impact on the main system performance. In a specific embodiment, based on configuration information, the interaction information between the RIS and the base station is modulated onto a carrier incident thereon and transmitted to the base station, so that the base station can receive and detect the information modulated onto the carrier by the RIS based on backscatter communication, including:

[0081] Communication with the base station is based on a pre-defined pilot structure. This pilot structure includes periodically arranged pilot signals, which consist of time-continuous conventional pilot symbols and backscattered modulated pilot symbols. The channel between two adjacent symbols in the time domain remains almost unchanged, thus accurately detecting and estimating the BC signal. See the schematic diagram of the pilot structure. Figure 3 .

[0082] Without modulating the backscattered signal:

[0083] The pilot signal was transmitted normally and can be used for more accurate conventional channel estimation;

[0084] Alternatively, the pilot symbol can be used to transmit data, reducing pilot overhead. The former can be used in scenarios with low SNR to improve pilot estimation accuracy, or in scenarios that support more pilot multiple access requirements, such as two adjacent pilot symbols being used for different pilot ports. The latter can be used in scenarios with relatively few pilot requirements.

[0085] Specifically, it is necessary to explicitly notify the UE of these two structures to facilitate accurate data detection. Multiple consecutive symbols can be used to repeat the BC modulation of the same signal; this time-domain repetition improves the bit error rate (BER) performance of the BC information. The number of repetitions can be configured / scheduled based on SINR / ACK information, etc. The scheduling configuration can be performed by the network.

[0086] To better implement the RIS-based backscatter communication method in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a RIS-based backscatter communication device, which is integrated into an electronic device, such as... Figure 4As shown, the communication device for backscatter communication based on RIS includes:

[0087] The acquisition unit 401 is used to acquire the configuration information of the RIS configuration for backscatter communication in the base station;

[0088] The transmitting unit 402 is used to modulate the interaction information between the RIS and the base station onto a carrier incident thereon based on the configuration information and transmit it to the base station, so that the base station can receive the information of the RIS modulated on the carrier based on backscatter communication.

[0089] Optionally, the base station and the user equipment communicate via a direct channel or via a backscattering channel of the RIS, wherein the ratio between the backscattering channel signal strength of the backscattering channel and the direct channel signal strength of the direct channel is the channel signal strength ratio.

[0090] The configuration information includes: if the channel signal strength ratio is greater than a first predefined threshold, then same-frequency sharing is adopted; if the channel signal strength ratio is not greater than the first predefined threshold, then time division or frequency division is adopted; if the channel signal strength ratio is greater than a third predefined threshold, then the signal strength of the scattering channel communication is increased.

[0091] Optionally, there is a communication service idle period between the base station and the user equipment;

[0092] The configuration information includes: if the network load is less than a second predefined threshold, backscatter communication will only be performed through the scattering channel of the RIS during the idle period of the communication service.

[0093] Optionally, the transmitting unit is configured to:

[0094] The interaction information is modulated onto the carrier of the DL link using RIS, so that the user equipment can send the interaction information to the base station. In this case, when the user equipment receives the master system DL information, it demodulates to obtain the interaction information modulated onto the carrier by RIS. The user equipment uses the interaction information as master system UL information and sends it to the base station through the master system UL channel.

[0095] Optionally, the transmitting unit is configured to:

[0096] The interaction information is modulated onto the carrier of the DL link using RIS, so that the user equipment modulates the interaction information onto the UL carrier in a backscattered manner, thereby transmitting the interaction information to the base station. Specifically, when the user equipment receives the DL information from the main system, it demodulates to obtain the interaction information modulated onto the carrier by RIS. The user equipment transmits the signal of the UL channel of the main system and simultaneously modulates the interaction information onto the UL carrier in a backscattered manner, thereby transmitting the interaction information to the base station.

[0097] Optionally, the transmitting unit is configured to:

[0098] The RIS modulates the resource demand indication information of the interaction information via the DL carrier. The user equipment sends the demand indication information to the base station through the main system UL channel. The base station schedules the user equipment to send uplink signals based on the resource demand indication information, so that the RIS modulates the interaction information using the uplink signal of the user equipment using a backscattering mechanism and sends it to the base station.

[0099] Optionally, the transmitting unit is used for:

[0100] The system communicates with the base station based on a preset pilot structure, wherein the pilot structure includes periodically arranged pilot signals, and the pilot signals include time-domain continuous conventional pilot symbols and backscattered modulated pilot symbols.

[0101] This application also provides an electronic device that integrates any of the backscatter communication devices based on RIS provided in this application. The electronic device includes:

[0102] One or more processors;

[0103] Memory; and

[0104] One or more applications, wherein the applications are stored in memory and configured to be executed by a processor, wherein the steps of the communication method based on RIS for backscattering communication in any of the embodiments described above are executed by a processor.

[0105] like Figure 5 As shown, it illustrates a structural schematic diagram of the electronic device involved in the embodiments of this application, specifically:

[0106] The electronic device may include components such as a processor 601 with one or more processing cores, a memory 602 with one or more computer-readable storage media, a power supply 603, and an input unit 604. Those skilled in the art will understand that the electronic device structure shown in the figures does not constitute a limitation on the electronic device, and may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements. Wherein:

[0107] The processor 601 is the control center of the electronic device. It connects various parts of the electronic device via various interfaces and lines, and performs various functions and processes data by running or executing software programs and / or modules stored in the memory 602, and by using data stored in the memory 602, thereby providing overall monitoring of the electronic device. Optionally, the processor 601 may include one or more processing cores; the processor 601 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. Preferably, the processor 601 may integrate an application processor and a modem processor, wherein the application processor mainly handles the operating system, physical interface, and application programs, and the modem processor mainly handles wireless communication. It is understood that the aforementioned modem processor may not be integrated into the processor 601.

[0108] The memory 602 can be used to store software programs and modules. The processor 601 executes various functional applications and data processing by running the software programs and modules stored in the memory 602. The memory 602 may mainly include a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area may store the operating system, application programs required for at least one function (such as sound playback function, image playback function, etc.), etc.; the data storage area may store data created according to the adoption of the electronic device, etc. In addition, the memory 602 may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other volatile solid-state storage device. Accordingly, the memory 602 may also include a memory controller to provide the processor 601 with access to the memory 602.

[0109] The electronic device also includes a power supply 603 that supplies power to the various components. Preferably, the power supply 603 can be logically connected to the processor 601 through a power management system, thereby enabling functions such as charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system. The power supply 603 may also include one or more DC or AC power supplies, recharging systems, power fault detection circuits, power converters or inverters, power status indicators, and other arbitrary components.

[0110] The electronic device may also include an input unit 604, which can be used to receive input digital or character information and generate keyboard, mouse, joystick, optical or trackball signal inputs related to physical settings and function control.

[0111] Although not shown, the electronic device may also include a display unit, etc., which will not be described in detail here. Specifically, in this embodiment, the processor 601 in the electronic device loads the executable files corresponding to the processes of one or more applications into the memory 602 according to the following instructions, and the processor 601 runs the applications stored in the memory 602 to realize various functions, as follows:

[0112] The configuration information of the RIS configured by the base station to implement backscatter communication is obtained; based on the configuration information, the interaction information between the RIS and the base station is modulated onto the carrier incident on it and sent to the base station, so that the base station can receive and detect the information of the RIS modulated onto the carrier based on backscatter communication.

[0113] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps in the various methods of the above embodiments can be performed by instructions, or by instructions controlling related hardware. These instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium and loaded and executed by a processor.

[0114] Therefore, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium, which may include: read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, etc. A computer program is stored thereon, and the computer program is loaded by a processor to execute the steps in any of the backscatter communication methods based on RIS provided in embodiments of this application. For example, the computer program loaded by the processor can execute the following steps:

[0115] The configuration information of the RIS configured by the base station to implement backscatter communication is obtained; based on the configuration information, the interaction information between the RIS and the base station is modulated onto the carrier incident on it and sent to the base station, so that the base station can receive and detect the information of the RIS modulated onto the carrier based on backscatter communication.

[0116] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the detailed descriptions of other embodiments above, which will not be repeated here.

[0117] In practice, each of the above units or structures can be implemented as an independent entity or can be arbitrarily combined to be implemented as the same or several entities. For the specific implementation of each of the above units or structures, please refer to the previous method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0118] For details on the implementation of each of the above operations, please refer to the previous examples, which will not be repeated here.

[0119] The foregoing provides a detailed description of a communication method and apparatus for backscatter communication based on RIS, as provided in the embodiments of this application. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method for backscatter communication based on RIS, characterized in that, The communication method includes: The configuration information for backscatter communication via the RIS (Radio Router Array) configured in the base station is obtained. The base station and the user equipment communicate via a direct channel or a backscatter communication via the RIS's scatter channel. The ratio between the scatter channel signal strength and the direct channel signal strength is called the channel signal strength ratio. There is a communication service idle period between the base station and the user equipment. The configuration information includes: if the channel signal strength ratio is greater than a first predefined threshold, then co-frequency sharing is used; if the channel signal strength ratio is not greater than the first predefined threshold, then time division or frequency division is used; if the network load is less than a second predefined threshold, then backscatter communication is only performed via the RIS's scatter channel during the communication service idle period. Based on the configuration information, the interaction information between the RIS and the base station is modulated onto the DL carrier and transmitted to the base station. This allows the base station to receive and detect information modulated onto the carrier by the RIS using backscatter communication. Specifically, the RIS utilizes the resource demand indication information modulated onto the interaction information via the DL carrier. The user equipment (UE) sends this demand indication information to the base station through the master system UL channel. The base station schedules the UE to send uplink signals based on the resource demand indication information. Consequently, the RIS uses the UE's uplink signals to modulate the interaction information onto the UL carrier using backscatter, and then transmits the interaction information to the base station. Furthermore, when the UE receives the master system DL information, it demodulates the interaction information modulated onto the carrier by the RIS. The UE then sends signals through the master system UL channel and simultaneously modulates the interaction information onto the UL carrier using backscatter, thereby transmitting the interaction information to the base station. Here, RIS is a smart metasurface, DL is the downlink, and UL is the uplink.

2. The communication method for backscatter communication based on RIS according to claim 1, characterized in that, The configuration information includes: if the channel signal strength ratio is greater than a third predefined threshold, then increase the signal strength of the scattering channel communication.

3. The communication method for backscatter communication based on RIS according to claim 1, characterized in that, Based on the configuration information, the interaction information between the RIS and the base station is modulated onto the DL carrier and transmitted to the base station, so that the base station receives and detects information modulated onto the carrier by the RIS based on backscatter communication, including: The system communicates with the base station based on a preset pilot structure, wherein the pilot structure includes periodically arranged pilot signals, and the pilot signals include time-domain continuous conventional pilot symbols and backscattered modulated pilot symbols.

4. A communication device for backscatter communication based on RIS, characterized in that, The communication device based on RIS for backscatter communication includes: An acquisition unit is used to acquire configuration information of a RIS (Intelligent Metasurface) configured by a base station to implement backscatter communication. The RIS is an intelligent metasurface. The base station and the user equipment communicate via a direct channel or via a scattering channel of the RIS. The ratio between the scattering channel signal strength and the direct channel signal strength is called the channel signal strength ratio. There is a communication service idle period between the base station and the user equipment. The configuration information includes: if the channel signal strength ratio is greater than a first predefined threshold, then co-frequency sharing is adopted; if the channel signal strength ratio is not greater than the first predefined threshold, then time division or frequency division is adopted; if the network load is less than a second predefined threshold, then backscatter communication is only performed via the scattering channel of the RIS during the communication service idle period. A transmitting unit is configured to modulate the interaction information between the RIS and the base station onto a DL carrier based on the configuration information and transmit it to the base station, so that the base station can receive and detect the information modulated on the carrier by the RIS based on backscatter communication. Specifically, the RIS uses the DL carrier to modulate the interaction information as resource demand indication information. The user equipment sends the demand indication information to the base station through the master system UL channel. The base station schedules the user equipment to send uplink signals based on the resource demand indication information, thereby enabling the RIS to use the uplink signals of the user equipment to modulate the interaction information onto the UL carrier in a backscatter manner, and then transmit the interaction information to the base station. Furthermore, when the user equipment receives the master system DL information, it demodulates the interaction information modulated on the carrier by the RIS, transmits the signal of the master system UL channel, and simultaneously modulates the interaction information onto the UL carrier in a backscatter manner, thereby transmitting the interaction information to the base station. Here, DL represents the downlink, and UL represents the uplink.

5. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes: One or more processors; Memory; and One or more applications, wherein the applications are stored in memory and configured to be executed by the processor to implement the communication method for backscattering communication based on RIS as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the RIS is a smart metasurface.

6. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It stores a computer program, which is loaded by a processor to execute the steps of the communication method based on RIS for backscattering communication as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the RIS is a smart metasurface.

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