A method and apparatus for listening

Abstract

A communication method and device for solving the problem of interference between different readers (120) when using the same resource to communicate with tags (130). The network device (110) schedules the listening resource of the reader (120) for the reader (120). The reader (120) sends a listening signal according to the scheduled listening resource, and listens to the listening signal of other readers (120) to obtain a listening result. The reader (120) sends the listening result. The reader (120) receives information for determining the resource for communicating with the tag (130). The reader (120) uses the communication resource to communicate with the tag (130). By scheduling the listening resource through the network device (110), the communication efficiency of the reader (120) and the tag (130) can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method and apparatus for eavesdropping on communications. Background Technology

[0002] Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is a contactless automatic identification technology. A reader or reader-writer powers the tag device by sending excitation signals to a low-cost tag. The tag receives the signals sent by the reader and sends signals back to the reader via backscatter signals, such as... Figure 1 As shown. In this way, the reader can identify the tag identifier and perform operations such as reading and writing to the tag. When multiple readers use the same resources to communicate with multiple tags, it may lead to strong interference between readers, thereby reducing communication performance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and apparatus between a reader and a tag, which can avoid readers with large mutual interference communicating with tags on the same resources, thereby improving the communication performance between the reader and the tag.

[0004] Firstly, this application provides a communication method, the execution subject of which can be a reader or a chip applied in the reader. The following description uses a reader as the execution subject. Reader 1 (first device) receives scheduling information (first information) from a first network device. The scheduling information indicates a first resource for reader 1 to send a first listening signal and a second resource for reader 2 to send a second listening signal. The reader sends the first listening signal on the first resource. Reader 1 receives the second listening signal from reader 2 (second device) on the second resource. Reader 1 determines the first listening result based on the second listening signal. Reader 1 sends the first listening result on a third resource. The reader receives the second information on a fourth resource. Reader 1 determines a fifth resource for communication between reader 1 and the tag based on the second information. Then, reader 1 communicates with the tag on the fifth resource. The network device schedules listening resources for the reader, enabling the network device (or reader) to obtain the mutual influence between different readers. Therefore, the network device (or reader) can determine the resources for communication between the reader and the tag based on the mutual influence between readers, improving resource utilization efficiency.

[0005] Secondly, this application provides a communication method, the execution subject of which can be a network device or a chip applied in a network device. The following description uses a network device as the execution subject. The network device sends scheduling information (first information). The scheduling information indicates a first resource for reader 1 to send a first listening signal and a second resource for reader 2 to send a second listening signal. The network device receives the first listening result from reader 1 (first device) at a third resource; and receives the second listening result from reader 2 (second device) at a sixth resource. Based on the first and second listening results, the network device determines information (second information) for a fifth resource instructing reader 1 to communicate with the tag. The network device sends the second information to reader 1 on a fourth resource. By scheduling listening resources for the readers, the network device (or reader) gains access to the mutual influence between different readers, thereby enabling the network device (or reader) to determine the resources for communication between the reader and the tag based on the mutual influence between readers, improving resource utilization efficiency.

[0006] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method, the execution subject of which can be a reader or a chip applied in the reader. The following description uses a reader as the execution subject. Reader 2 (the second device) receives first information from a first network device. The first information indicates a first resource for reader 1 to send a first listening signal and a second resource for reader 2 to send a second listening signal. Reader 2 sends a second listening signal on the second resource. Reader 2 receives the first listening signal from reader 1 (the first device) on the first resource. Reader 2 determines a second listening result based on the first listening signal. Reader 2 receives second information on a sixth resource, which indicates a fifth resource for reader 1 to communicate with the tag. Reader 2 determines a seventh resource for reader 2 to communicate with the tag based on the second listening result and the second information, and sends information indicating the seventh resource. Reader 2 communicates with the tag on the seventh resource. The reader does not send the listening result, but instead sends information indicating the resource for which the reader communicates with the tag, which helps reduce signaling overhead.

[0007] Fourthly, this application provides a communication method, the execution subject of which can be a reader or a chip applied in the reader. The following description uses a reader as the execution subject. Reader 2 receives first information from a first network device, the first information indicating a first resource and a second resource. Reader 2 receives a first listening signal and second information from reader 1 on the first resource, the second information indicating a fifth resource for reader 1 to communicate with the tag. Reader 2 determines a second listening result based on the first listening signal. Reader 2 determines a seventh resource for reader 2 to communicate with the tag based on the second listening result and the second information. Reader 2 transmits a second listening signal and information indicating the seventh resource on the second resource. Reader 2 communicates with the tag on the seventh resource. By transmitting the listening signal and the resource indicating the reader's communication with the tag through a single resource, latency can be reduced.

[0008] In one possible design, from the first to the fourth aspects, reader 1 sends the first listening result in the following manner.

[0009] Reader 1 sends a first listening result to a first network device, or Reader 1 (the first device) sends a first listening result to Reader 2 (the second device). When Reader 1 sends a first listening result to the first network device, Reader 1 receives second information from the first network device. By receiving the listening results sent by the readers, the network device can schedule resources for communication between each reader and the tag, improving the performance of reader-tag communication. When Reader 1 sends a first listening result to Reader 2, Reader 1 receives second information from Reader 2, the second information including Reader 2's second listening result. Reader 1 determines the fifth resource based on the second and first listening results. The reader sends the listening results to other readers. Based on the received listening results from other readers, the reader determines the resources it needs to occupy for tag communication according to predefined rules, reducing signaling overhead with the base station.

[0010] In one possible design, from the first to the fourth aspects, the resource for reader 1 to transmit the first listening result (the third resource) is associated with the resource for reader 1 to transmit the listening signal (the first resource). This association between the resource for transmitting the listening result and the resource for previously transmitting the listening signal saves network equipment overhead.

[0011] In one possible design, from the first to the fourth aspects, the resource for reader 1 to receive the second information (the fourth resource) is associated with the resource for reader 1 to receive the second listening signal (the second resource). This association between the resource for reader 1 to receive the second information and the resource for previously receiving the listening signal can save on network equipment overhead.

[0012] In one possible design, among aspects one through four, the listening result includes the reader 1's measurement of the second listening signal. Alternatively, the listening result includes a comparison between the reader 1's measurement of the second listening signal and a threshold. By sending the measurement value, the receiver can obtain more information, which helps the receiver determine the resources available for communication between the reader and the tag. Sending the comparison between the measurement value and the threshold saves the overhead of sending the measurement value itself.

[0013] In one possible design, from the first to the fourth aspect, the first resource, the second resource, the third resource, the fourth resource, and the fifth resource are time-domain resources.

[0014] In one possible design, from the first to the fourth aspects, the first information indicates at least one of the following parameters:

[0015] The starting position of the first resource set, which includes the first resource and the second resource.

[0016] The number of resource units included in the first resource set.

[0017] The first resource is the index of the first resource set.

[0018] The second resource is the index of the first resource set.

[0019] In one possible design, from the first to the fourth aspects, the fifth resource belongs to the second resource set. The second information indicates at least one of the following parameters:

[0020] The starting position of the second resource set,

[0021] The number of resource units included in the second resource set.

[0022] The index of the fifth resource in the second resource set.

[0023] In one possible design, from the first to the fourth aspects, the listening signal is the reference signal.

[0024] In one possible design, both in the first and second aspects, the second information indicates the identifier of one or more scheduled devices communicating with the tag (the reader's identifier). Scheduled and unscheduled readers can determine which reader is scheduled. Unscheduled readers can then determine whether to transmit a listening signal and the resources available for transmitting the listening signal during a subsequent listening process, without requiring the base station to schedule resources for transmitting the listening signal, thus saving signaling overhead and scheduling latency between the base station and the reader.

[0025] In one possible design, from the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the first information is carried in at least one of the following signaling:

[0026] Unicast signaling, multicast signaling, and broadcast signaling.

[0027] The second information is carried in at least one of the following signaling:

[0028] Unicast signaling, multicast signaling, and broadcast signaling. That is, the first message and the second message can be sent via unicast, multicast, or broadcast. They can also be sent via any combination of unicast, multicast, or broadcast.

[0029] Fourthly, in one possible design, the first listening result includes a measurement of the second listening signal. When the measurement is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the fifth resource does not overlap with the seventh resource. When the measurement is less than the first threshold, the fifth resource is the same as the seventh resource. Determining whether the same resource is used based on the interaction between readers can improve resource utilization.

[0030] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, which has the function of implementing the behavior in the method example of the first aspect described above. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. In one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver unit for receiving first information from a first network device, the first information indicating a first resource and a second resource. The transceiver unit is also used to transmit a first listening signal on the first resource and receive a second listening signal from a second device on the second resource. The communication device further includes a processing unit for determining a first listening result based on the second listening signal. The transceiver unit is also used to transmit the first listening result on a third resource and receive second information on a fourth resource. The processing unit is also used to determine a fifth resource based on the second information. The transceiver unit is also used to communicate with a tag on the fifth resource. These units can perform the corresponding functions in the method example of the first aspect described above, as detailed in the method example, and will not be repeated here.

[0031] Sixthly, a communication device is provided, which has the function of implementing the behavior in the method examples of the second aspect described above. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described function. In one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver unit that transmits first information, the first information indicating a first resource and a second resource, the first resource being used by a first device to transmit a first listening signal, and the second resource being used by a second device to transmit a second listening signal. The transceiver unit is also configured to receive a first listening result from the first device at a third resource and a second listening result from the second device at a sixth resource. The communication device further includes a processing unit that determines second information based on the first listening result and the second listening result, the second information indicating a fifth resource for the first device to communicate with a tag. The transceiver unit is also configured to transmit the second information to the first device at a fourth resource. These units can perform the corresponding functions in the method examples of the second aspect described above, as detailed in the method examples, and will not be repeated here.

[0032] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which has the function of implementing the behavior in the method example of the third aspect described above. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. In one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver unit for receiving first information from a first network device, the first information indicating a first resource and a second resource. The transceiver unit is also used to transmit a second listening signal on the second resource and receive a first listening signal from a reader 1 (first device) on the first resource. The communication device further includes a processing unit for determining a second listening result based on the first listening signal. The transceiver unit is also used to receive second information on a sixth resource, the second information indicating a fifth resource for which the reader 1 communicates with a tag. The processing unit is also used to determine a seventh resource based on the second listening result and the second information. The transceiver unit is also used to transmit information indicating the seventh resource. The transceiver unit is also used to communicate with a tag on the seventh resource. These units can perform the corresponding functions in the method example of the third aspect described above, as detailed in the method example, and will not be repeated here.

[0033] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, which has the function of implementing the behavior in the method example of the fourth aspect above. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described function. In one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver unit for receiving first information from a first network device, the first information indicating a first resource and a second resource. The transceiver unit is also used to receive a first listening signal and second information from a reader 1 on the first resource, the second information indicating a fifth resource for which the reader 1 communicates with a tag. The communication device further includes a processing unit for determining a second listening result based on the first listening signal. The processing unit is also used to determine a seventh resource based on the second listening result and the second information. The transceiver unit is also used to transmit the second listening signal and information indicating the seventh resource on the second resource. The transceiver unit is also used to communicate with a tag on the seventh resource.

[0034] Ninthly, a communication device is provided, which can be a reader as described in the above method embodiments, or a chip disposed in a reader. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory stores computer programs or instructions, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor executes the computer program or instructions, it causes the reader to execute the methods performed by the reader in the above method embodiments.

[0035] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided. This communication device can be a network device as described in the above method embodiments, or a chip disposed within a network device. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory stores computer programs or instructions. The processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor executes the computer program or instructions, it causes the communication device to perform the method executed by the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0036] In an eleventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when the computer program code is run, causes the methods executed by the reader in the above aspects to be performed.

[0037] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when run, causes the methods executed by the network device in the above aspects to be performed.

[0038] In a thirteenth aspect, this application provides a chip system including a processor for implementing the reader functions described in the methods of the above aspects. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing program instructions and / or data. This chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0039] In a fourteenth aspect, this application provides a chip system including a processor for implementing the functions of the network device in the methods described above. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing program instructions and / or data. This chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0040] In a fifteenth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when run, implements the methods executed by the reader in the above aspects.

[0041] In a sixteenth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when run, implements the methods executed by the network device in the above aspects.

[0042] In a seventeenth aspect, this application provides a communication system including a network device and a reader. The network device implements the methods performed by the network device in the foregoing aspects. The reader implements the methods performed by the reader in the foregoing aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a possible reader-tag communication in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a possible communication architecture in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the mutual interference between the communication between the two readers and the tag in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating communication between two readers and tags via time-division multiplexing, as described in an embodiment of this application.

[0047] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating two readers communicating with the tag in the same time domain unit, as per an embodiment of this application.

[0048] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a listening method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of another eavesdropping method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another eavesdropping method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another eavesdropping method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another eavesdropping method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of another eavesdropping method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of another eavesdropping method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of another eavesdropping method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of another eavesdropping method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of another eavesdropping method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of another eavesdropping method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of another eavesdropping method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of another eavesdropping method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the communication device 1900 according to an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device 2000 according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0063] For ease of understanding, some explanations of concepts related to this application are provided as examples for reference. See below:

[0064] A receives information from B: A can directly receive information sent by B. A can also receive information sent by B through an intermediary device C. In other words, B sends information to C, and C then forwards that information to A.

[0065] Unicast: refers to point-to-point communication between a sender (such as a network device) and a receiver (such as a reader). For example, the destination of information sent by a network device is a specific reader, not other readers.

[0066] Multicast: also known as groupcast, refers to one-to-many communication between a sending end (such as a network device) and multiple receiving ends (such as readers). For example, information sent by a network device may be destined for multiple or a group of readers.

[0067] Broadcasting refers to one-to-many communication between a sending end (such as a network device) and all receiving ends (such as readers) currently belonging to that sending end. For example, the destination of information sent by a network device is all readers currently belonging to that network device.

[0068] Time-frequency resources: Time-frequency resources are divided into Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Access (OFDM) or Single Carrier-Frequency Division Multiplexing Access (SC-FDMA) symbols in the time dimension and subcarriers in the frequency domain dimension, forming a time-frequency resource grid. The smallest resource granularity in this grid is called a resource element (RE), representing a time-frequency grid point consisting of a time-domain symbol in the time domain and a subcarrier in the frequency domain. Subcarrier spacing is 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, etc. A Physical Resource Block (PRB) is the basic unit of frequency domain resource scheduling, and a PRB always contains 12 frequency-domain subcarriers. A slot is one of the basic units of time-domain resources, and a slot typically contains 14 time-domain symbols, or 7 time-domain symbols. A subframe is also one of the basic units of time-domain resources, fixed at 1 millisecond. For a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz, each subframe contains 14 time-domain symbols.

[0069] Reference signal: The reference signal can be a sequence known to both the transmitter and receiver. Reference signals are used by the receiver to demodulate data (such as Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS), Cell-specific Reference Signal (CRS), etc.), or for measurements by the receiver (such as Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), etc.).

[0070] Demodulation reference signal: A signal inserted into the data channel or control channel for transmission together. It is mainly used by the receiving side to estimate the physical channel conditions and then demodulate the transmitted information.

[0071] Temporal resource unit: A temporal resource unit can be one or more subframes, one or more time slots, or one or more temporal symbols.

[0072] Frequency domain resource element: A frequency domain resource element can be one or more PRBs. A frequency domain resource element can also be one or more REs.

[0073] Resource unit: It consists of one time-domain resource unit and one frequency-domain resource unit.

[0074] Instruction: A instructs B, which can be either explicit or implicit.

[0075] Explicit instruction: A gives direct instructions to B, that is, A directly instructs B on information.

[0076] Implicit instruction: A gives indirect instructions to B, that is, A does not directly indicate information about B, but indicates other information, but B can be identified through other information.

[0077] Reflection: Also known as backscattering.

[0078] Network equipment: Network equipment can be access network equipment, also known as radio access network (RAN) equipment, which is a device that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices. Access network equipment includes, but is not limited to: next-generation node B (gNB), evolved node B (eNB), baseband unit (BBU), transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP) in 5G, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access points in WiFi systems. Access network equipment can also be radio controllers, centralized units (CU), and / or distributed units (DU) in cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenarios, or network equipment can be relay stations, vehicle-mounted equipment, and network equipment in future evolved networks. Terminal equipment: Terminal equipment, also known as user equipment (UE), is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. Terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water (such as ships); and they can be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, drones, balloons, and satellites). These terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality terminal devices, augmented reality terminal devices, wireless terminal devices in industrial control, wireless terminal devices in autonomous driving, wireless terminal devices in telemedicine, wireless terminal devices in smart grids, wireless terminal devices in transportation safety, wireless terminal devices in smart cities, and wireless terminal devices in smart homes. Terminal devices can also be fixed or mobile.

[0079] Reader: A reader is a device that communicates with tags, sending excitation signals to tags and / or sending / receiving RFID signaling from tags. A reader can be a network device or a terminal device.

[0080] RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a non-contact automatic identification technology. Its basic principle is to utilize the spatial coupling of radio frequency signals or the transmission characteristics of radar reflection to achieve automatic identification of objects. The reader communicates wirelessly with the RFID tag via an antenna, enabling reading and writing of the tag's identification code and memory data. The tag receives signals from the reader, which drive its internal circuitry for encoding, decoding, modulation, and demodulation. It also reflects the reader's signals, modulating the information to be transmitted onto the reflected signal to send a signal to the reader. Tags can be categorized as passive, active, and semi-passive (or semi-active) tags. Passive tags have no power source; their internal processing and reflected signals depend on the reader's excitation signal. Active tags have an internal power source, allowing their internal processing and reflected signals to operate independently of the reader's excitation signal. Semi-passive tags have an internal power source, allowing their internal processing and reflected signals to utilize both the power source and the reader's excitation signal.

[0081] Inventory: The reader communicates with the tags within its coverage area using RFID to obtain the tag identification (ID), and knows which tags are within the coverage area (the tags are attached to the goods), thereby enabling the counting (inventory) of goods in scenarios such as stores and warehouses.

[0082] like Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a possible network architecture applicable to an embodiment of this application, including a network device 110; a reader 120, comprising readers 1 and 2; and tags 130, comprising tags 1 and 2. Communication between the reader 120 and the tags is divided into a forward link and a reverse link. The link through which the reader 120 sends data to the tags is the forward link; the link through which the reader 120 receives data from the tags is the reverse link.

[0083] The reader 120 can be connected to the tag 130 wirelessly, and the reader 120 can be connected to the network device 110 via wired or wireless means.

[0084] It should be noted that, in Figure 2 In the network architecture shown, label 120 can be in a fixed position or it can be movable, without limitation. Figure 2 The network architecture shown may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, without limitation. Figure 2 The architecture shown does not limit the number of network devices, readers, and tags.

[0085] The technical solutions in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, 5th Generation (5G) mobile communication systems, and future mobile communication systems.

[0086] like Figure 3 As shown, reader 1 communicates with tag 1 via RFID, and reader 2 communicates with tag 2 via RFID. Reader 1 and reader 2 communicate independently with tags 1 and 2 respectively, without coordination. Reader 1 and reader 2 transmit signals simultaneously. Reader 1 and reader 2 are relatively close, and their simultaneous transmissions cause significant interference, affecting normal RFID communication and reducing the reader's coverage area.

[0087] When a network device coordinates RFID communication between multiple readers and tags, the timing of RFID communication between the readers and tags is scheduled by the network device. For example... Figure 4 As shown, to avoid interference between readers, network devices schedule time-division multiplexing between readers. Figure 4 The results of the network device scheduling reader are presented. Figure 4 In this process, network device scheduler reader 1 first communicates with the tag via RFID, and then scheduler reader 2 communicates with the tag via RFID afterward. While the network device schedules readers with full time-division multiplexing to avoid interference, some readers can transmit signals simultaneously without interference, leading to insufficient utilization of time-domain resources and reduced communication efficiency between the reader and the tag.

[0088] To make fuller use of time-domain resources, network devices schedule readers to send data simultaneously (or allow overlapping sending times, etc.). For example... Figure 5 As shown, the network device schedules reader 1 and reader 2 to transmit simultaneously. In this situation, the network device cannot accurately know which readers can transmit signals at the same time, so scheduling multiple readers to transmit simultaneously may cause significant interference between them.

[0089] In the following embodiments, the resource can be a time-domain resource, a frequency-domain resource, a code-domain resource, or a spatial-domain resource. The resource can also be any combination of time-domain, frequency-domain, code-domain, or spatial-domain resources. For example, the resource can be a time-frequency resource, or a resource can be both a time-frequency resource and a code-domain resource.

[0090] based on Figure 2 The provided network architecture is described below, along with the communication scenario between the reader and the tag. The network devices in this application scenario can be... Figure 2 Network device 110, the reader can be Figure 2 Reader 120 in the middle, the tags can be Figure 2 Tag 130. Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating the communication between the reader and the tag is provided. Figure 6 In this context, reader 1 can be the first device; reader 2 can be the second device. Figure 6 There are multiple tags in the table. Reader 1 and 2 communicating with tags typically means that reader 1 and 2 communicate with different tags respectively. For example, reader 1 communicates with tag 1; reader 2 communicates with tag 2. Figure 6 The number of readers in the system is not limited to two; there can also be three, four, etc. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the communication process may include:

[0091] S601: The network device sends the first information to the reader.

[0092] S602: The reader sends a sensing signal and receives sensing signals from other readers.

[0093] S603: The reader determines the listening result based on the received listening signal. The reader measures the listening signals sent by other readers, such as the reference signal received power (RSRP), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), and signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR). For example, readers 1 and 2 measure each other's listening signals and obtain their respective listening results. The listening result can include the measured values ​​of the listening signals. The listening result can also include the comparison result of the measured value with a threshold. If the measured value is greater than (or greater than or equal to, or less than, or less than or equal to) a preset threshold value, the comparison result is set to 1 (or 0); otherwise, it is set to 0 (or 1). The listening result can also include the comparison results of multiple time-domain resource units, for example, indicated by a bitmap.

[0094] S604: The reader sends the listening results.

[0095] S605: The network device sends a second message to the reader. The second message indicates the communication resources between the reader and the tag.

[0096] S606: Reader and tag communication.

[0097] Network devices schedule listening resources for readers, enabling them to understand the mutual influence between different readers. This allows network devices to determine the resources available for reader-tag communication based on the mutual influence between readers, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency.

[0098] The following provides further explanation of steps S601-S606.

[0099] exist Figure 6 In S601, the network device sends first information to reader 1 and reader 2. That is, the reader receives the first information from the network device.

[0100] One possible approach is that the first information indicates at least one of the following parameters:

[0101] The starting position of the first resource set, which includes the first resource and the second resource;

[0102] The number of resource units included in the first resource set;

[0103] The first resource is the index of the first resource set;

[0104] The second resource is the index of the first resource set. The first resource set is the set of resources that the reader uses to send listening signals.

[0105] The first information is used to schedule the listening signal. The first information indicates the first resource and the second resource. The first resource is used by reader 1 to send the first listening signal, and the second resource is used by reader 2 to send the second listening signal.

[0106] Network devices can send the first message to readers (e.g., readers 1 and 2) via multicast or broadcast. Network devices can also send the first message to multiple readers (e.g., readers 1 and 2) individually via unicast.

[0107] In one possible approach, the network device sends first information to each reader via unicast. The first information indicates the number of resource units in the listening resource set (first resource set), the starting position of the listening resource set, and the index of the resource unit in the listening resource set where the reader is transmitting its listening signal. For example, the first information sent by the base station to reader 1 indicates the starting position of the listening resource set, that a total of 3 listening resource units have been allocated (the number of resource units in the resource set is 3), and that reader 1 has been allocated a resource unit with index 1 (the resource unit in the listening resource set where the reader is transmitting its listening signal has index 1). The first information sent by the base station to reader 2 indicates the starting position of the listening resource set, that a total of 3 resource units have been allocated, and that reader 2 has been allocated a resource unit with index 2. The first information sent by the base station to reader 3... Figure 6 (Not shown in the image), it indicates the starting position of the listening resource set, a total of 3 resource units are allocated, and the resource with index 3 is allocated to reader 3.

[0108] Taking time-domain resources as an example, the network device notifies readers 1-3 of the starting position of the first resource set via first information. For example, this first information indicates the offset between the time-domain position of the first information and the starting position of the first resource set. Taking a time-domain resource unit as a slot as an example, the network device sends the first message in the k-th slot. The network device notifies readers 1-3 via signaling that the starting position of the first resource set (the resource set for listening signals) is the (k+4)-th slot. Optionally, the offset between the time-domain position of the first information and the starting position of the first resource set can be defined in a predefined manner. For example, if the network device sends the first message in the k-th slot, the (k+3)-th slot is predefined as the starting position of the first resource set.

[0109] After receiving the corresponding first message, readers 1-3 can determine the starting position of the listening resources based on the initial position of the listening resource set. They can also determine the position of each listening resource based on the total number of resource units in the listening resource set (assuming the structure and size of each listening resource are fixed). Furthermore, they can determine the position of the resource assigned to themselves based on the resource unit index, and thus the position of the resources assigned to other readers. Taking reader 1 as an example, reader 1 receives a first message indicating the starting position of the listening resource set and that the number of units in the listening resource set is 3. The resource unit with index 1 is the resource from which reader 1 sends its listening signal. Reader 1 can then determine that resource units with indices 2 and 3 are the resources from which other readers send their listening signals. Reader 1 then measures the listening signals sent by other readers on resource units with indices 2 and 3.

[0110] In one possible approach, the network device sends a first message via multicast / broadcast. The first message indicates the starting position of the listening resource set, with the resource units from which multiple readers transmit listening signals having their respective indices within the listening resource set. For example, the first message indicates the starting position of the listening resource set, allocating resource at index 1 to the listening signal transmitted by reader 1, resource at index 2 to reader 2, and resource at index 3 to reader 3. Upon receiving this control information, each reader can determine the starting point of the resource set based on its position and the location of resources allocated to itself and other readers based on the indices of each resource unit.

[0111] In one possible approach, the temporal relationship between the starting position of the listening resource set (assuming it's the start position in the time domain) and the ending position of the first information is fixed. For example, if the first information ends in the nth time slot, then the listening resource set starts from the (n+4)th time slot. The resource set always includes 3 resource units, and each resource unit (or each resource) has a fixed size (e.g., one time slot). Therefore, the starting position of the listening resource set, the number of resource units in the resource set, and the size of each resource unit do not need to be indicated by the content of the first information. The first information sent to reader 1 indicates the resource index allocated by reader 1 in the resource set. If the sizes of the first and second resources are fixed, such as one time slot, no additional indication is needed. However, if the sizes of the first and second resources can have multiple possible values, then the sizes of the first and second resources can be indicated by the first information. For example, the sizes of the first and second resources can be 7 symbols, one time slot, or two time slots. The sizes of the first and second resources can be indicated by the first information.

[0112] Taking time-domain resources as an example, Table 1 shows the resources allocated by the network device to different readers.

[0113] Table 1. Listening time-domain resources allocated by the reader.

[0114] Time Domain Index Reader 1 1 2 2 3 3

[0115] Taking time-frequency resources as an example, there are 3 time-domain resources and 2 frequency-domain resources. One time-domain resource unit and one frequency-domain resource unit constitute one resource unit, for a total of 6 resource units. In one example, the indices of the 2 frequency-domain resource units are ordered from lowest to highest frequency, meaning the index of the frequency-domain resource unit with the lower frequency is smaller; the indices of the 3 time-domain resource units are ordered from lowest to highest time-domain position. Assume the predefined relationship between the resource unit indices and the time-domain and frequency-domain indices is as follows: the resource units are indexed in ascending order, first the frequency domain and then the time domain, as shown in Table 2.

[0116] Table 2. Listening Time and Frequency Resources Allocated by the Reader

[0117] Resource Index Time Domain Index Frequency domain index Reader 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 3 2 1 2 4 2 2 3 5 3 1 3 6 3 2 1

[0118] Taking unicast as an example, the first message sent by the network device to reader 1 indicates the starting position of the listening time-domain resources, the allocation of 3 time-domain listening resource units, the positions of the 2 allocated frequency-domain resource units, and the allocation of time-frequency resources with resource indices 1 and 6 for transmitting listening signals. The first message sent to reader 2 indicates the starting position of the listening time-domain resources, the allocation of 3 time-domain listening resource units, the positions of the 2 allocated frequency-domain resource units, and the allocation of time-frequency resources with resource indices 2 and 3 for transmitting listening signals. The first message sent to reader 3 indicates the starting position of the listening time-domain resources, the allocation of 3 time-domain listening resource units, the positions of the 2 allocated frequency-domain resource units, and the allocation of time-frequency resources with resource indices 4 and 5 for transmitting listening signals.

[0119] In S602, taking Table 1 as an example, each reader sends its own listening signal on its allocated time-domain resources. For example, reader 1 sends a first listening signal on the first resource (the resource unit with time-domain resource index 1).

[0120] In S603, taking reader 1 as an example, reader 1 receives a listening signal (second listening signal) from reader 2 and determines a first listening result based on the second listening signal. For example, the first listening result includes the RSRP of the received listening signal from reader 2 measured by reader 1.

[0121] In S604, the reader sends the listening results to the network device. Figure 6 In this process, readers 1 and 2 respectively send the listening results to the network device. For example, reader 1 sends the first listening result on the third resource. By sending measurement values, the reader provides the receiving side with more information, which helps the receiving side determine the resources for communication between the reader and the tag. Sending the comparison results between the measurement values ​​and thresholds can save the overhead of sending listening results.

[0122] In S605, the network device sends second information to the readers. This second information indicates the communication resources (fifth resource) between the readers and the tags. For example, based on the received monitoring results, the network device determines the resources for communication between each reader and the tag, and sends the determined resources to each reader. One possible approach is for the network device to determine the resources for each reader sequentially, from highest to lowest priority, based on the monitoring results and the priority of each reader. For instance, the reader with the highest priority is allocated the first resource, and then it is determined whether the reader with the second highest priority can be allocated the same resource as the reader with the highest priority. If so, the reader with the second highest priority is also allocated the first resource; otherwise, the reader with the second highest priority is allocated the second resource, and so on. Another possible approach is for the network device to iterate through various resource allocation methods and select the method that consumes the fewest total resources as the final resource allocation result. Figure 6 In this system, the network device determines the communication resources between readers 1 and 2 and the tag based on the monitoring results of readers 1 and 2. For example, the network device determines time-domain resource 1 for communication between readers 1 and the tag, and time-domain resource 2 for communication between readers 2 and the tag. The network device sends a second message indicating time-domain resource 1 to readers 1 via a fourth resource. Accordingly, readers 1 receives the second message on the fourth resource. The network device then sends a second message indicating time-domain resource 2 to readers 2. By receiving the monitoring results sent by the readers, the network device can schedule the communication resources (fifth resource) between each reader and the tag, thereby improving the performance of reader-tag communication.

[0123] In one example, the second information indicates at least one of the following parameters:

[0124] The starting position of the second resource set,

[0125] The number of resource units included in the second resource set.

[0126] The resources that the reader communicates with the tag are indexed in the second resource set.

[0127] The fifth resource is the resource used for communication between the reader and the tag. The fifth resource belongs to the second resource set. The resource used for communication between the reader and the tag can have multiple indices in the second resource set. For example, the resource used for communication between reader 1 and the tag (the fifth resource) is at index 1 in the second resource set, and the resource used for communication between reader 2 and the tag is at index 2 in the second resource set.

[0128] In one example, the network device sends the second information to each scheduled reader via unicast. One possible approach is that the second information sent by the network device to reader 1 indicates the starting position of the second resource set for communication between the reader and the tag, the second resource set includes two resource elements, and a resource element assigned index 1 to reader 1. Similarly, the second information sent by the base station to reader 2 indicates the starting position of the second resource set for communication between the reader and the tag, the second resource set includes two resource elements, and a resource element assigned index 2 to reader 2. Likewise, the second information sent by the base station to reader 3 indicates the starting position of the second resource set for communication between the reader and the tag, the second resource set includes two resource elements, and a resource element assigned index 2 to reader 3.

[0129] In one example, the network device sends a second message to the readers via multicast or broadcast, indicating the communication resources between the readers and the tags. For instance, the network device multicasts or broadcasts the second message to readers 1-3, indicating the starting position of the second resource set for communication between the readers and the tags, that the second resource set includes two resource units, and that a resource unit with index 1 is assigned to reader 1, and a resource unit with index 2 is assigned to readers 2 and 3.

[0130] In one example, the temporal relationship between the start position of the second resource set and the end position of the second information is fixed. For example, if the second information ends in time slot n, then the second resource set starts in time slot n+4. The second resource set always includes two resource units, and the size of each resource unit (or each resource) is fixed (e.g., both are 2 seconds). Therefore, the second information indicates the resource index allocated in the second resource set to the scheduled reader, without needing to indicate the start position of the second resource set or the number of resource units included in the second resource set.

[0131] In S606, the reader (e.g., reader 1) determines the fifth resource based on the received second information and uses the fifth resource to communicate with the tag. Communication between the reader and the tag can be inventory communication. Optionally, it may also include other operations by the reader on the tag, such as reading and writing memory.

[0132] The first and second information can be physical layer control information, such as downlink control information (DCI); medium access control (MAC) information, such as MAC control element (CE); or radio resource control (RRC) information, such as RRC-specific or public signaling, or fields within a specific RRC-specific or public signaling message. The first information can be sent via one or more signaling messages. For example, the resource index allocated to the reader can be notified via unicast (e.g., via DCI); while the starting position and total number of resources in the first resource set can be notified via multicast or broadcast (e.g., via RRC public signaling). The second information can also be sent via one or more signaling messages. For example, the resource index allocated to the reader for communication with the tag can be notified via unicast (e.g., via DCI); while the starting position and total number of resources in the second resource set can be notified via multicast or broadcast (e.g., via RRC public signaling). In other words, the first information is carried in at least one of the following signaling messages: unicast signaling, multicast signaling, and broadcast signaling. The second information is carried in at least one of the following signaling types: unicast signaling, multicast signaling, and broadcast signaling.

[0133] In one example, the first resource, the second resource, the third resource, the fourth domain resource, and the fifth resource are time domain resources.

[0134] In one possible approach, the reader determines the resources for communicating with the tag itself based on the listening results. For example... Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 based on Figure 6 The following mainly describes and... Figure 6 The differences.

[0135] S601-S603 and prior to S704 Figure 6 Similar to S601-S603. See also Figure 6 The S601-S603 will not be described in detail here.

[0136] S704: The reader sends the listening result. (And...) Figure 6 The difference is that, Figure 6 The reader sends the monitoring results to the base station. Figure 7In this process, a reader sends its listening results to other readers. For example, reader 1 sends a first listening result to reader 2 on a third resource. The first listening result includes the RSRP (Receiving RSRP) of the listening signal received by reader 1 from reader 2. Similarly, reader 2 sends its second listening result to reader 1. That is, reader 1 receives second information from reader 2, which includes reader 2's second listening result.

[0137] S705: The reader determines the resources for communicating with the tag.

[0138] S606: Communicating with the tag. This step is related to... Figure 6 Similar to the S606, it will not be described in detail.

[0139] The following provides further explanation of S704 and S705.

[0140] In S704, a reader sends the results of its monitoring of other readers to those readers and receives the monitoring results sent by other readers. For example... Figure 7 As shown, reader 1 sends the monitoring results of reader 2 to reader 2, and vice versa. Based on the monitoring results received from other readers, each reader determines the resources it needs to occupy for tag communication according to predefined rules, thus avoiding the signaling and scheduling overhead of communication with the base station.

[0141] The resource for a reader to send a listening result (third resource) can be associated with the resource for a reader to send a listening signal (first resource). For example, a network device allocates resources for sending listening signals to three readers. The network device allocates resource 1 for reader 1, resource 2 for reader 2, and resource 3 for reader 3. Resource A for reader 1 to send a listening result is associated with resource 1; resource B for reader 2 to send a listening result is associated with resource 2; and resource C for reader 3 to send a listening result is associated with resource 3. For example, the order in which the readers send listening results is the same as the order in which they send listening signals. Compared to reader 2, reader 1 sent its listening signal first and therefore sent its listening result first. The resource for a reader to send a listening result can also be associated with the reader's number or identifier.

[0142] In one possible approach, the resources for communication between certain readers and tags are pre-determined. In this case, the reader may not need to send a listening result. The number of readers sending listening results differs from the number sending listening signals. For example, reader 1 does not send listening results. Reader 2 sends listening results for resource A associated with resource 2. Reader 3 sends listening results for resource B associated with resource 3. Assume that the temporal order of resources A, B, and C is resource A before resource B, and resource B before resource C. When reader 1 sends a listening result, it does so on resource A. When reader 1 does not send listening results, reader 2 sending listening results on resource A can reduce reader 2's communication latency.

[0143] There is a correlation between the resources from which the reader sends the listening results and the resources from which the listening signals were previously sent. Based on this correlation, the resources from which the reader sends the listening results can be determined, thus saving network equipment overhead.

[0144] In one example, the starting position of the resource set (third resource set) from which readers (such as readers 1, 2, and 3) send the listening results can be determined based on the ending position of the first resource set. This can be achieved by an interval between them; for example, if the first resource set ends in time slot n, the starting position of the third resource set is in time slot n+4. This interval can be a predefined value or indicated by signaling (such as a first message). The association between the third resource and the first resource is that the index of the third resource in the third resource set is associated with the first resource. Reader 1 determines the starting position of the third resource set in this manner and then identifies the third resource within it.

[0145] In one example, there is an interval between the end of the first resource and the start of the third resource, such as the first resource ending at time slot n and the start of the third resource at time slot n+4. This interval can be a predefined value or indicated by signaling (such as the first message).

[0146] Similarly, the resource for the reader to receive the second information (the fourth resource) is associated with the resource for the reader to receive the second listening signal (the second resource). The association between the resource for the reader to receive the second information and the resource for previously receiving listening signals can save on network equipment overhead.

[0147] In one example, taking time-domain resources as an example, the description further illustrates how, in S705, each reader determines its own resource for communicating with the tag based on predefined rules, using the listening results received from other readers. Each reader determines its own time-domain resource for communicating with the tag based on the listening results and communicates with the tag through that time-domain resource. One possible way to determine time-domain resources is according to a predefined priority. For example, the priority can be the index of the resource for which the reader sent the listening signal as indicated in the first information (e.g., the index of the first resource in the first resource set). The smaller the index value, the higher the priority, and so on. Each reader considers the time-domain resource occupancy of readers with higher priorities than itself. For example, if there are three readers with priorities of Reader 1 > Reader 2 > Reader 3, Reader 1 is predefined to occupy the first time-domain resource. Reader 2 knows that Reader 1 always occupies the first time-domain resource. Reader 2's candidate resources are the first and second time-domain resources. Reader 2 determines whether it can use the same time-domain resources for communicating with the tag as Reader 1, based on at least one of the listening results from Reader 1 and Reader 2. For example, if the mutual interference between Reader 1 and Reader 2 is very small (e.g., both are below a threshold), then Reader 2 also uses the first time-domain resource. If the mutual interference between Reader 1 and Reader 2 is large, Reader 2 and Reader 1 cannot use the same time-domain resources to communicate with the tag. Then Reader 2 uses the second time-domain resource to communicate with the tag. Similarly, for Reader 3, its candidate resources are the first, second, and third time-domain resources. At this time, Reader 3 knows the time-domain resources for Reader 1 to communicate with the tag. Based on at least one of the listening results from Reader 1 and Reader 2, Reader 3 obtains the interference between Reader 1 and Reader 2, and uses the same method as Reader 2 to determine the time-domain resources for Reader 2 to communicate with the tag. For example, Reader 1 uses the first time-domain resource, and Reader 2 uses the second time-domain resource. Reader 3 determines its time-domain resources based on its own monitoring results of Readers 1 and 2, and the time-domain resources used by Readers 1 and 2. Alternatively, Reader 3 determines its time-domain resources based on the monitoring results sent to it by Readers 1 and 2, and the time-domain resources used by Readers 1 and 2. For example, if Reader 3 determines that the mutual interference between Reader 3 and Reader 1 is high and they cannot occupy the same resources, while the mutual interference between Reader 3 and Reader 2 is low and they can use the same resources, then Reader 3 will determine to use the second time-domain resource.If each time-domain resource is limited to a maximum of two readers, then the second time-domain resource has reached its limit. Assuming reader 4 still needs to determine the resource for communicating with the tag, reader 4 selects one of the first or third time-domain resources. The reader determines the resource to occupy for tag communication based on at least one of the listening results received from other readers and the listening results measured from other readers' listening signals, according to predefined rules, thus reducing signaling overhead with the base station.

[0148] In one example, the starting position of the resource set (second resource set) that the readers (such as readers 1, 2 and 3) communicate with the tag can be determined based on the ending position of the third resource set, such as an interval between the two, such as the third resource set ending at time slot n and the second resource set starting at time slot n+4. This interval can be a predefined value or indicated by signaling (such as the first message).

[0149] In one example, the reader does not send the listening results; instead, it determines the resources for communicating with the tag based on the listening results and indicates the determined resources for communicating with the tag to other readers. For example... Figure 8 As shown, Figure 8 based on Figure 6 and Figure 7 The following mainly describes and... Figure 6 and Figure 7 The differences.

[0150] S601-S603 and S804 before S804 and Figure 6 Similar to S601-S603. For example, in S601-S603, reader 2 (the second device) receives first information from the first network device, the first information indicating a first resource for which reader 1 sends a first listening signal and a second resource for which reader 2 sends a second listening signal. Reader 2 sends a second listening signal on the second resource. Reader 2 receives the first listening signal from reader 1 (the first device) on the first resource. See details below. Figure 6 The S601-S603 will not be described in detail here.

[0151] S804: Reader 1 determines the resources for communication with the tag. Reader 1 determines the resources for communication with the tag based on the results of listening to other readers. For example, Reader 1 determines the first listening result based on the second listening signal.

[0152] S805: Reader 1 sends a second message to other readers. The second message indicates the resource (fifth resource) for reader 1 to communicate with the tag.

[0153] S806: Reader 2 determines the resources for communication with the tag. Reader 2 determines the resources for communication with the tag based on the results of listening to other readers and the communication resources that Reader 1 will occupy. For example, Reader 2 determines a second listening result based on a first listening signal. Reader 2 receives second information on a sixth resource. Reader 2 determines the resources (seventh resource) for communication with the tag based on the second listening result and the second information.

[0154] S807: Reader 2 sends a message to other readers. This message instructs Reader 2 to communicate with the seventh resource of the tag.

[0155] S808: Reader 2 communicates with the tag on the seventh resource. This step is related to... Figure 6 Similar to S606, see Figure 6 The S606 will not be discussed further.

[0156] Instead of sending the listening results, the reader sends information indicating the resources for communication between the reader and the tag, which helps reduce signaling overhead.

[0157] The following section uses time-domain resources as an example to further explain S804 to S807.

[0158] The reader sends a second message to other readers. This second message indicates the time-domain resources that the reader has identified for communicating with the tag. The resources used by the reader to send the second message can be associated with the resources used by the reader to send listening signals; alternatively, the resources can be associated with the reader's ID or identifier. For example, the network device allocates three resources for sending listening signals to three readers (readers 1-3), each corresponding to the resource used by readers 1-3 to send the second message. The network device allocates resource 1 (listening signal sending) to reader 1, resource 2 (listening signal sending) to reader 2, and resource 3 (listening signal sending) to reader 3. Resource A for reader 1 to send the second message is associated with resource 1; resource B for reader 2 to send the second message is associated with resource 2; and resource C for reader 3 to send the second message is associated with resource 3. For example, the temporal order in which readers 1-3 send the second message can be the same as the temporal order in which they send listening signals.

[0159] In one possible approach, the resources for certain readers to communicate with the tag are pre-determined. In this case, the reader may not need to send the second information. Assume that resource 1 is earlier than resource 2 in the time domain, and resource 2 is earlier than resource 3 in the time domain. In one possible approach, reader 1 uses resource 1 to communicate with the tag, and other readers also know that reader 1 uses resource 1. Reader 1 may not need to send the second information. Readers 2 and 3 need to indicate the resources they each use to communicate with the tag.

[0160] One possible approach is for each reader to sequentially determine the time-domain resources for communicating with the tag in a predefined order, as shown below.

[0161] Using a predefined method, reader 1 pre-defines its allocation of resource A and does not send a second message. Reader 2, knowing that reader 1 occupies resource A, determines, based on its monitoring of reader 1, whether it can also occupy the same resource A. If so, it determines that it will occupy resource A. Otherwise, reader 2 determines that it will occupy resource B and communicate with the tag, and sends a second message to other readers indicating that it will occupy resource B.

[0162] Suppose reader 2 indicates to other readers that it will occupy resource B. Reader 3, knowing that reader 1 is occupying resource A, determines whether it can occupy resource A based on the resource B indicated by reader 2 and its own monitoring results from readers 1 and 2. If not, it then determines whether it can occupy resource B. If not, it occupies resource C and indicates the resource it will occupy to other readers. This process continues for other readers.

[0163] In one example, for reader 1, resource A is predefined. For reader 2, candidate resources are resource A and resource B. Based on the monitoring results, the mutual interference between reader 1 and reader 2 is very small (e.g., both are below a threshold), so reader 2 also occupies resource A. If the mutual interference between reader 1 and reader 2 is large, reader 2 and reader 1 cannot use the same resource to communicate with the tag. Then reader 2 occupies resource B to communicate with the tag. Reader 2 sends a second message indicating that it will occupy resource B. Similarly, for reader 3, its candidate resources are resources A, B, and C. At this time, reader 3 knows the resources used by reader 1 and reader 2 to communicate with the tag. For example, reader 1 uses resource A, and reader 2 uses resource B. Based on its monitoring results of reader 1, reader 3 judges that the interference between it and reader 1 is large, and they cannot occupy the same resource, so reader 3 cannot occupy resource A. Reader 3 receives the second message from reader 2 and knows that reader 2 will occupy resource B. Based on its monitoring of Reader 2, Reader 3 determines that its influence on Reader 2 is minimal and that it can occupy the same resource. Therefore, Reader 3 decides to occupy resource B and sends its second message to indicate that it will occupy resource B. Optionally, if each resource is limited to a maximum of two readers, then the usage of resource B has reached its limit. Assuming that Reader 4 also needs to determine the resource to communicate with the tag, Reader 4 can choose between resources A and C.

[0164] For the method of determining the starting position of the third resource set and the starting position of the second resource set, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 7 describe.

[0165] In one possible approach, the reader will transmit the listening signals and information indicating the resource communicating with the tag within a time-domain resource. For example... Figure 9 As shown, Figure 9 based on Figures 7-8 .

[0166] S601: and Figure 6 Similar to S601. For example, reader 1 and reader 2 receive first information from a first network device, the first information indicating a first resource and a second resource. See details below. Figure 6 I will not go into details.

[0167] S902: Reader 1 determines the resources for communication with the tag. Reader 1 determines the resources for communication with the tag according to predefined rules.

[0168] S903: Reader 1 sends a first listening signal and second information on the first resource, the second information indicating the resource (fifth resource) for which reader 1 communicates with the tag. Reader 2 receives the first listening signal and second information from reader 1 on the first resource.

[0169] S904: Reader 2 determines the resources for communication with the tag. Based on the listening results of Reader 1 and the communication resources between Reader 1 and the tag, Reader 2 determines the resources for communication between Reader 2 and the tag. For example, Reader 2 determines a second listening result based on a first listening signal. Based on the second listening result and second information, Reader 2 determines a seventh resource for communication between Reader 2 and the tag.

[0170] S905: Reader 2 sends a second listening signal and information indicating the seventh resource on the second resource.

[0171] S606: Communicating with the tag. This step is related to... Figure 6 Similar to the S606, it will not be described in detail.

[0172] In one possible design, the first listening result includes a measurement of the second listening signal. When this measurement is greater than (or greater than or equal to, or less than, or less than or equal to) a first threshold, the fifth resource does not overlap with the seventh resource. Otherwise, the fifth resource is the same as the seventh resource. Determining whether the same resource is used based on the interaction between readers can improve resource utilization.

[0173] The reader sends the listening signals and the resources indicating how the reader communicates with the tag through a single resource, which can reduce latency.

[0174] Figure 10-18 Taking resources as time-domain resources as an example, for Figures 6-9 To provide further explanation.

[0175] Figure 10 The communication process between network devices, readers, and tags is given as an example, with the resource being a time-domain resource.

[0176] Figure 10 There is one network device and three readers. Figure 10 It is divided into 5 stages.

[0177] Phase 1. Network device scheduling and listening for signals. This involves the network device sending its first message. This step is similar to S601.

[0178] Phase 2. The reader sends a listening signal. This step is similar to step S602.

[0179] Phase 3. The reader sends the listening results. This step is similar to S604. Figure 10 In the middle stage 3, the reader sends the listening results, which are sent by readers 1, 2, and 3 respectively.

[0180] Phase 4. The network device schedules resources for communication between the reader and the tag. In other words, the network device schedules RFID communication resources. This step is similar to S605.

[0181] Phase 5. Reader communicates with the tag. This step is similar to S606.

[0182] exist Figure 10-18 Define a round of listening process, in which there is a stage 2.

[0183] like Figure 10 As shown, in stage 5, it is assumed that reader 1 is allocated time-domain resources of index 1, while readers 2 and 3 are allocated time-domain resources of index 2. Readers 2 and 3 communicate with tags using the same time-domain resources. For example, readers 2 and 3 use the time-domain resources of index 2 for inventory management.

[0184] Figure 10 It also provides a schematic diagram of the first resource set, a resource unit, the starting position of the first resource in the time domain, and the starting position of the second resource in the time domain.

[0185] Figure 10 The network device schedules resources for communication between reader 1, reader 2, reader 3, and tags in one go. The network device can also schedule resources for communication between a subset of readers (readers 1, 2, and 3) and tags in one go, such as... Figure 11 As shown. Figure 11 based on Figure 10 . Figure 11 See stages 1-4 of the first round. Figure 10 Stages 1-4. But Figure 11 Phase 4 of the first round only scheduled communication between reader 1 and the tag.

[0186] During the second round of eavesdropping, the network device allocates eavesdropping resources. It can allocate resources to readers that were not allocated in the previous round, such as Reader 2 and Reader 3, or to new readers that did not participate in the previous round of eavesdropping, such as Reader 4. Figure 11 In the second round of eavesdropping, the network device determined, based on the received eavesdropping results, that the interference between reader 2 and reader 3 was small, and scheduled communication between reader 2, reader 3 and tag in the same time domain.

[0187] Figure 12 based on Figure 11 , Figure 12 See stages 1-5 of the first round. Figure 10 Phases 1-5 of the first round. Figure 12 In the first round, stage 4, the network device notifies which reader among the participating listeners is scheduled to communicate with the tag. For example, the network device notifies readers 2 and 3 that reader 1 is scheduled to communicate with the tag. Optionally, the network device notifies which reader among the participating listeners is not scheduled to communicate with the tag. The network device can notify via multicast or unicast. The unscheduled reader, based on the network device's notification (e.g., the second information), determines the total number of time-domain resources for sending listener signals in the next round, as well as its own corresponding time-domain resources for sending listener signals. For example, in the second round of listening, readers 2 and 3, based on the network device's notification, determine that they were not scheduled in the first round. Readers 2 and 3 then determine their time-domain resources for listening in the second round according to predefined rules. One approach is to associate the time-domain resources for listening in the second round by readers 2 and 3 with the time-domain resources scheduled by the network device in the first round. For example, the order in which readers 2 and 3 transmit the listening signals in the second round is the same as the order in which readers 2 and 3 transmit the signals in the first round. Figure 2 As shown, in the second round of listening, reader 2 sends the listening signal first, followed by reader 3. The order in which reader 2 and reader 3 send the listening signal in the second round can also be the reverse of the order in the first round, that is, the reader that sends the listening signal first in the first round sends the listening signal later in the second round. Figure 12 See stages 3-5 of the second round of eavesdropping. Figure 10 I will not go into details.

[0188] Figure 13 based on Figure 12 In the second round of listening, without network equipment for scheduling, the new reader 4 can also join in the second phase, sending listening signals. Figure 13In this scenario, the total number of time-domain resources for sending (or scheduling to send) listening signals in each round is limited, for example, a maximum of three. However, more readers need to communicate with the tag, for example, five readers. These five readers are numbered 1 to 5, i.e., Reader 1 to Reader 5. In the first round, the network device allocates listening time-domain resources to Readers 1 to 3. However, in the first round, the network device only schedules Reader 1 to communicate with the tag. Assume that the reader number is associated with the priority of the listening process scheduled by the network device; for example, readers with smaller numbers have higher priority than those with larger numbers. In the second round, Readers 2 to 5 all have a need to listen. However, compared to Reader 5, Readers 2 to 4 have higher priority, so in phase 2 of the second round, Readers 2 to 4 send listening signals.

[0189] In the above example, the length of the time-domain resource is fixed for each communication between the reader and the tag. Figure 14 The paper presents how to perform listening and subsequent communication when the time-domain resource length of each communication between the reader and the tag is not fixed. Figure 14 based on Figure 12 .exist Figure 14 In this model, a phase 6 is introduced, where the reader notifies the network device that communication with the tag has ended. In this case, the reader determines when communication with the tag ends. For example, if reader 1, after one or more tag query processes, finds that no new tags are reporting tag identifiers, reader 1 determines that communication with the tag has ended and notifies the network device that communication with reader 1 has ended. The network device schedules one reader to communicate with the tag at a time. The first time, the network device schedules reader 1 to communicate with the tag. The second time, the network device schedules reader 2 to communicate with the tag.

[0190] Figure 15 based on Figure 14 , Figure 15 Phase 1-6 and Figure 14 Similarly, I won't go into details. But... Figure 15 The second round of eavesdropping consists of stages 1-6. During this second round, the network equipment schedules readers 2 and 3 to begin communicating with the tag at the same time. After readers 2 and 3 have completed communicating with the tag, they send a message to the base station notifying the network equipment that communication has ended.

[0191] Figure 16 based on Figure 15 , Figure 16 Phase 1-6 and Figure 14 , Figure 15 Similarly, I won't go into details. In the second round, Phase 1A and... Figure 15Phase 1 differs from Phase 1A. In Phase 1A, the network device indicates the starting position of the first resource set. In the first round, reader 1 is scheduled to communicate with the tag, and readers 1-3 all send listen signals. Readers 2 and 3 are not scheduled in the first round. In the second round, the time-domain resource unit size for sending listen signals is the same as in the first round. In the first round, readers 2 and 3 receive the following information: readers 1-3 send listen signals, and reader 1 is scheduled to communicate with the tag. Based on this information, readers 2-3 know that they need to send listen signals in the second round. The resource for sending listen signals is determined according to the respective priorities of readers 2-3. For example, if reader 2 is higher than reader 3, then reader 2 occupies the first resource in the first resource set to send a listen signal; reader 3 occupies the second resource in the first resource set to send a listen signal. The rest of the process is the same as... Figure 15 Similarly, I will not elaborate further.

[0192] Will Figures 10-16 The section on stage 4 (resources for network device scheduling reader-tag communication) has been removed; this was intended to explain... Figure 7 A diagram illustrating the communication process (the reader determines the resources for communication with the tag based on the monitoring results). Figure 10 As shown, after removing stage 4, stages 1, 2, 3, and 5 constitute one round of listening. Figure 11 As shown, after removing stage 4, the first round of listening process includes stages 1, 2, 3, and 5. The second round of listening process also includes stages 1, 2, 3, and 5. Figure 12 As shown, after removing stage 4, the first round of listening includes stages 1, 2, 3, and 5; the second round of listening includes stages 2, 3, and 5. Figure 12 As shown, after removing stage 4, the first round of listening includes stages 1, 2, 3, and 5; the second round of listening includes stages 2, 3, and 5. Figure 14 As shown, after removing stage 4, the first round of eavesdropping includes stages 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, as well as a second round of stages 5 and 6. Figures 10-14 Unlike in this case, in stage 3, the reader sends the listening results to other readers. For details on how the reader determines the resources for communicating with the tag based on the listening results, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 7 The description.

[0193] Figure 17 Is Figure 8 The diagram illustrates the communication between the network device, reader, and tag in the time domain.

[0194] and Figure 10 compared to, Figure 17 Phases 1, 2 and Figure 10 Phases 1 and 2 are similar. Figure 17 Phase 4 and Figure 10Stage 5 is similar and will not be described in detail. Figure 17 and Figure 10 The main difference lies in stage 3, in Figure 17 Phase 3 involves readers indicating the resources they need to communicate with the tag. For example, readers 1-3 sequentially send information to other readers indicating the resources they need to communicate with the tag. For further details, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 6-16 The description will not be repeated here.

[0195] Figure 18 Is Figure 9 The diagram illustrates the communication between the network device, reader, and tag in the time domain. Figure 18 Phase 1 and Figure 17 Similar to stage 1, Figure 18 Phase 3 and Figure 17 Phase 4 is similar and will not be described in detail. Figure 18 The stage 2 reader sends listening signals and indicates the resource for communicating with the tag on a time-domain resource. For example... Figure 18 Reader 1 sends a listening signal and information indicating the resource on a time-domain resource to communicate with the tag; then, reader 2 sends a listening signal and information indicating the resource on a time-domain resource to communicate with the tag; finally, reader 3 sends a listening signal and information indicating the resource on a time-domain resource to communicate with the tag.

[0196] For other details, please see Figure 6-16 The description will not be repeated here.

[0197] In one example of the above embodiments, the time-domain resources for transmitting a listening signal include A time-domain symbols, where A > 1. The listening signal can be carried using the following format.

[0198] Format 1: The first k symbols out of A time-domain symbols are used to transmit the eavesdropping signal. Each symbol carries a sequence, and the transmission method of a single symbol can be referenced from the transmission method of the Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH) in Section 8.3.4 of 3GPP TS38.211 v16.2.0. The following m symbols are guard symbols (GAPs). Guard symbols do not transmit any content and can be used for transmit / receive switching to avoid interference caused by timing inconsistencies between readers (k+m=A). For example, the time-domain resources for transmitting an eavesdropping signal include 5 time-domain symbols, with the first 4 symbols used to transmit the eavesdropping signal and the last symbol used as a guard symbol.

[0199] Format 2: In each of the first k symbols of A time-domain symbols, certain RE positions on the frequency-domain resources carry a sequence, while the remaining RE positions can be configured to transmit all-zero bits or random bits, etc. The transmission method for Format 2 can be referenced in Section 8.4.1.3 of 3GPP TS38.211 v16.2.0 regarding the Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH) DMRS transmission method. The subsequent m symbols are guard symbols. One possible approach is that the time-domain resources for transmitting a listener signal include a time slot with 14 symbols. In the first 13 symbols, one RE out of every four REs on the frequency domain of each symbol is a listener signal, and the listener signal's RE frequency-domain positions are the same on each symbol. The last symbol is used as a guard symbol.

[0200] Format 3: Partial symbol-carrying sequence in the first k symbols of A time-domain symbols. The sequence can occupy all the frequency domain resources allocated within the symbol, or it can occupy only a portion of the REs. REs in A symbols that do not carry a listener signal can be used to transmit information, or to transmit all-zero bits or random bits, etc. The transmission method of Format 3 can be referenced in Section 8.4.1.1 of 3GPP TS 38.211 v16.2.0 regarding the Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) DMRS transmission method. Similar to Formats 1 and 2, the last m symbols are protection symbols. For example, if A = 14, the first and last symbols in the first 13 symbols carry a listener signal, one of every three REs in the frequency domain carries a listener signal, and the 14th symbol serves as a protection symbol.

[0201] To improve reliability, the listener signal can be repeatedly transmitted. Taking format 2 as an example, the listener signal is transmitted once. In this case, the time-domain resources for transmitting the listener signal include two time slots, in which the second time slot is a repetition of the first time slot. Optionally, the listener signal is transmitted once in these two time slots, but there is a gap only in the second time slot.

[0202] The reader can also use formats 1-3 to send a message indicating the end of communication.

[0203] The reader's listening results can be sent in the following format:

[0204] Format 4: Format 4 is similar to Format 2, but the difference between them is:

[0205] 1) In symbols that are not GAPs, REs that do not carry sequences do not transmit all-zero bits or random bits; instead, they carry useful data. For example, the useful data is the listening result (the encoding, modulation, resource mapping, etc., can be found in Section 8.3.2 of 3GPP TS38.211 v16.2.0 and Section 8.3 of TS38.212 v16.2.0 regarding the transmission method of the Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH)).

[0206] 2) The listening signal in Format 2 is used as DMRS in Format 4.

[0207] Format 5: Format 5 is similar to Format 3, but the difference between them is:

[0208] 1) In symbols that are not GAPs, REs that do not carry sequences do not transmit all-zero bits or random bits; instead, they carry useful data. For example, the useful data is the listening result (the encoding, modulation, resource mapping, etc., can be found in Section 8.3.1 of 3GPP TS38.211 v16.2.0 and Section 8.2 of TS38.212 v16.2.0 regarding the transmission method of the Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH)).

[0209] 2) The listening signal in Format 3 is used as DMRS in Format 5.

[0210] for Figure 18 The reader in the system sends listening signals and resource information indicating communication with the tag, which can be transmitted using formats 6 and 7. Format 6 is similar to format 4, and format 7 is similar to format 5, the difference being that the DMRS in formats 6 and 7 also serves as a listening signal. The useful data is information indicating the resources for communication with the tag.

[0211] The first piece of information can be sent through a single message or notification. It can also be sent through multiple signaling messages or notifications. For example, multiple fields of the first piece of information can be sent through multiple signaling messages. The second piece of information is similar and will not be elaborated further.

[0212] The above embodiments are described as follows: Figure 6-18 Unless otherwise specified, the characteristics described herein may be referenced interchangeably.

[0213] Figure 19 and Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the possible structures of communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can implement the functions of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments, and therefore can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device can be as follows: Figure 2 The network device 110 shown can also be as follows: Figure 2 The reader 120 shown can also be a unit (such as a chip) applied to a reader or network device.

[0214] like Figure 19 As shown, the communication device 1900 includes a processing unit 1901, a transceiver unit 1902, and a storage unit 1903. The communication device 900 can be used to implement the above-described... Figures 6-16 The method embodiment shown illustrates the functions of the terminal device or network device. Storage unit 1903 stores the program executed by processing unit 1901. Transceiver unit 1902 is used to transmit and receive signals. Processing unit 1901 is used to process the signals transmitted and received by transceiver unit 1902 and to control transceiver unit 1902 to transmit and receive signals.

[0215] When the communication device 1900 is used to achieve Figure 6-16 In the method embodiment, when the reader functions, the transceiver unit 1902 is used to receive first information from a first network device, the first information indicating a first resource and a second resource. The transceiver unit 1902 is also used to send a first listening signal on the first resource and receive a second listening signal from a second device on the second resource. The processing unit 1901 is used to determine a first listening result based on the second listening signal. The transceiver unit 1902 is also used to send the first listening result on a third resource and receive second information on a fourth resource. The processing unit 1901 is also used to determine a fifth resource based on the second information. The transceiver unit 1902 is used to communicate with the tag on the fifth resource. The processing unit 1901 is also used to control the transceiver unit 1902 to communicate with the tag and send / receive signals on the fifth resource.

[0216] When the communication device 1900 is used to achieve Figure 6-16 In the method embodiment, the network device functions as follows: Transceiver unit 1902 is used to send first information, which indicates a first resource and a second resource. The first resource is used by the first device to send a first listening signal, and the second resource is used by the second device to send a second listening signal. Transceiver unit 1902 is also used to receive a first listening result from the first device at a third resource and a second listening result from the second device at a sixth resource. Processing unit 1901 is used to determine second information based on the first listening result and the second listening result. The second information indicates a fifth resource for the first device to communicate with the tag. Transceiver unit 1902 is also used to send the second information to the first device at a fourth resource. Processing unit 1901 is also used to control transceiver unit 1902 and to send and receive the aforementioned signals.

[0217] When the communication device 1900 is used to achieve Figure 6-16In the method embodiment, when the reader functions as described, the transceiver unit 1902 is used to receive first information from a first network device, the first information indicating a first resource and a second resource. The transceiver unit 1902 is also used to send a second listening signal on the second resource. The transceiver unit 1902 is also used to receive the first listening signal from the reader 1 on the first resource. The processing unit 1901 is used to determine a second listening result based on the first listening signal. The transceiver unit 1902 is also used to receive second information on a sixth resource, the second information indicating a fifth resource for which the reader 1 communicates with the tag. The processing unit 1901, based on the second listening result and the second information, determines a seventh resource for which communication with the tag occurs. The transceiver unit 1902 is also used to send information indicating the seventh resource and communicate with the tag on the seventh resource.

[0218] When the communication device 1900 is used to achieve Figure 6-16 In the method embodiment, when the reader functions as described, the transceiver unit 1902 is used to receive first information from the first network device, the first information indicating a first resource and a second resource. The transceiver unit 1902 is also used to send a first listening signal on the first resource. The transceiver unit 1902 is also used to receive the first listening signal and second information from the reader 1 on the first resource, the second information indicating a fifth resource for which the reader 1 communicates with the tag. The processing unit 1901 is used to determine a second listening result based on the first listening signal. The processing unit 1901 is also used to determine a seventh resource for which communication with the tag is based on the second listening result and the second information. The transceiver unit 1902 is also used to send a second listening signal and information indicating the seventh resource on the second resource. The transceiver unit 1902 is also used to communicate with the tag on the seventh resource.

[0219] For a more detailed description of the transceiver unit 901 and the processing unit 902, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0220] like Figure 20 As shown, the communication device 2000 includes a processor 2002, a transceiver 2003, a memory 2001, and a bus 2004. The transceiver 2003, processor 2002, and memory 2001 are interconnected via the bus 2004; the bus 2004 can be a PCI bus or an EISA bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 20 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or one type of bus. Memory 2001 stores the program executed by processor 2002. Transceiver 2003 is used to send and receive signals. Processor 2002 is used to process the signals sent and received by transceiver 2003 and to control the transceiver 2003's signal transmission and reception.

[0221] When the communication device 2000 is Figures 6-16 In the network device implementation of the method embodiment, transceiver 2003 is used to send information (first information) instructing the reader to send a listening signal, receive listening results sent by the reader, and send information (second information) instructing the reader to communicate with the tag. Processor 2002 is used to determine the resources for communication between the reader and the tag based on the received listening results from the reader. See details. Figure 6-16 The specific implementation will not be described in detail. In fact, the processor 2002 is used to perform the functions of the processing unit 1901, the transceiver 2003 is used to perform the functions of the transceiver unit 1902, and the memory 2001 is used to perform the functions of the storage unit 1903.

[0222] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The terminal device chip receives information from other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, the information being sent to the terminal device by the network device; or, the terminal device chip sends information to other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, the information being sent to the network device by the terminal device.

[0223] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The network device chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent from the terminal device to the network device; or, the network device chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent from the network device to the terminal device.

[0224] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application 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, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0225] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Furthermore, the ASIC can reside in an access network device or a terminal device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can exist as discrete components in the access network device or terminal device.

[0226] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted through the computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a DVD; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state disk (SSD).

[0227] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0228] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0229] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A listening method performed at a first device, the method comprising: Comprising: receiving first information from a first network device, the first information indicating a first resource and a second resource; the first resource being used by the first device to transmit a first listening signal, the second resource being used by a second device to transmit a second listening signal; transmitting the first listening signal on the first resource; receiving the second listening signal from the second device on the second resource; determining a first listening result according to the second listening signal; transmitting the first listening result on a third resource; the third resource being associated with the first resource; receiving second information on a fourth resource; the fourth resource being associated with the second resource; determining a fifth resource according to the second information; communicating with a tag on the fifth resource.

2. The method of claim 1, the transmitting the first listening result comprising: transmitting the first listening result to the first network device; the receiving the second information comprising: receiving the second information from the first network device, the second information indicating the fifth resource.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, the third resource being associated with the first resource.

4. The method of any of claims 1-2, the first listening result comprising a measurement value of the second listening signal, or a comparison result of the measurement value of the second listening signal and a threshold.

5. The method of any of claims 1-2, the first information indicating a first resource and a second resource comprising: the first information indicating at least one of: a starting position of a first resource set, the first resource set comprising the first resource and the second resource, a number of resource units comprised by the first resource set, an index of the first resource in the first resource set, an index of the second resource in the first resource set.

6. The method of any of claims 1-2, the fifth resource belonging to a second resource set, the second information indicating at least one of: a starting position of the second resource set, a number of resource units comprised by the second resource set, an index of the fifth resource in the second resource set.

7. The method of claim 1, the transmitting the first listening result comprising: transmitting the first listening result to the second device; the receiving the second information comprising: receiving the second information from the second device, the second information comprising a second listening result of the second device.

8. The method of claim 7, the determining a fifth resource according to the second information comprising: determining the fifth resource according to the second listening result and the first listening result.

9. The method of any of claims 1-2, the listening signal being a reference signal.

10. The method of any of claims 1-2, the second information indicating an identity of one or more scheduled devices to communicate with the tag.

11. The method of any of claims 1-2, the first information being carried in at least one of: unicast signaling, multicast signaling, and broadcast signaling.

12. A listening method performed by a first network device, the method comprising: Comprising: transmitting first information, the first information indicating a first resource and a second resource, the first resource being used for a first device to transmit a first listening signal, the second resource being used for a second device to transmit a second listening signal; receiving a first listening result from the first device at a third resource, the third resource being associated with the first resource; receiving a second listening result from the second device at a sixth resource; determining second information according to the first listening result and the second listening result, the second information indicating a fifth resource for the first device to communicate with a tag; transmitting the second information to the first device at a fourth resource, the fourth resource being associated with the second resource.

13. The method of claim 12, the first information indicating a first resource and a second resource, comprising: the first information indicating at least one of the following parameters: a starting position of a first resource set, the first resource set comprising the first resource and the second resource, a number of resource units comprised by the first resource set, an index of the first resource in the first resource set, an index of the second resource in the first resource set.

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, the fifth resource belonging to a second resource set, the second information indicating at least one of the following parameters: a starting position of the second resource set, a number of resource units comprised by the second resource set, an index of the fifth resource in the second resource set.

15. The method of any of claims 12-13, the listening signal being a reference signal.

16. The method of any of claims 12-13, the second information indicating an identity of one or more scheduled devices to communicate with a tag.

17. The method of any of claims 12-13, the first information being carried in at least one of the following signaling: unicast signaling, multicast signaling, and broadcast signaling.

18. A communications device comprising: means for performing the method of any of claims 1-11.

19. A communication apparatus comprising a processor coupled with a memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause a first device to perform the method of any of claims 1-11.

20. The communication apparatus of claim 19, the communication apparatus being the first device, the communication apparatus further comprising a transceiver.

21. The communication apparatus of claim 19, the communication apparatus being a communication apparatus in the first device.

22. The communication apparatus of claim 19, the communication apparatus further comprising the memory.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, a storage medium storing a software program, the software program being executed to perform the method of any of claims 1-11.

24. A communications device comprising: means for performing the method of any of claims 12-17.

25. A communication apparatus comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause a network device to perform the method of any of claims 12-17.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a software program which, when executed, causes the method of any one of claims 12-17 to be performed.

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